Swap your home leaflet
2
Can my Mutual Exchange be delayed? Yes. There are factors that could delay an exchange such as rent arrears, outstanding repairs or if the Neighbourhood Housing Manager needs to reinspect the property. Can my Mutual Exchange be refused? Yes. A Mutual Exchange approval can be refused due to a number of reasons, including: • Rent arrears. • We have served you a notice seeking possession. • We are taking tenancy action against you due to anti social behaviour. • We have obtained an order for your eviction. • The property is unsuitable for you or the incoming tenant’s household, for example, it is too large or is too small and will lead to overcrowding. • There are restrictions regarding who can live in a property, eg local residing criteria or properties that are adapted for someone with a physical disability. • You have a starter tenancy, assured short hold tenancy or a licence. • There are outstanding repairs to be completed. Can the decision be appealed? Yes. If we have refused the Mutual Exchange you can appeal to us. However, if another housing association has refused exchange, you’ll have to appeal to them direct. Repairs and Responsibilities Your Neighbourhood Housing Managers will conduct a property inspection in the initial stages of the application. During this viewing they will check the condition of the property for any outstanding repairs. Any outstanding repairs you are responsible for, will have to be completed before the sign up. The outgoing tenant will sign a tenant disclaimer at the sign up appointment, stating that all repairs have been completed and the property has been left in good condition. The incoming tenant will also sign a disclaimer which will state any ‘gifted’ items left at the property (e.g. curtain poles, sheds, etc) will be the responsibility of the new tenant to maintain. If you have any further questions about Mutual Exchanges see our website tchg.org.uk. You can also email [email protected] or call 01892 501628. It is really important that you keep your rent account up to date and in credit as you could risk losing your home. The easy hassle free method You can now set up a Direct Debit with a single phone call to us - no more forms to complete! Flexibility You can now choose any day of the month for your direct debit to be taken as well as the frequency e.g. weekly, fortnightly or monthly. How can I set up a Direct Debit? You will need a bank account or similar that will allow direct debit payments to be taken from it. Decide on what date and how frequently you would like your rent to be taken, then just call us on 01892 501480 to set it up for you - it really is that easy! To save time when you call, please have your account details to hand. Paying your rent to us swap home understanding mutual exchange your The My Home Online app! If you use your smartphone to get online rather than a computer why not try our My Home Online app? We’ve built it especially for smartphones and tablets and it enables you to view your rent account, get a paperless rent statement, make a payment, report a repair, view repair history, update your personal details and contact us. Download the app for free from your app store (Apple, Android or Windows) and get information on the go at your fingertips.
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Understanding mutual exchange
Transcript of Swap your home leaflet
Can my Mutual Exchange be delayed?Yes. There are factors that could delay an exchange such as rent arrears, outstanding repairs or if the Neighbourhood Housing Manager needs to reinspectthe property.
Can my Mutual Exchange be refused?
Yes. A Mutual Exchange approval can be refuseddue to a number of reasons, including:
• Rent arrears.• We have served you a notice seeking possession.• We are taking tenancy action against you due to anti
social behaviour.• We have obtained an order for your eviction.• The property is unsuitable for you or the incoming
tenant’s household, for example, it is too large or is too small and will lead to overcrowding.
• There are restrictions regarding who can live in a property, eg local residing criteria or properties that are adapted for someone with a physical disability.
• You have a starter tenancy, assured short hold tenancy or a licence.
• There are outstanding repairs to be completed.
Can the decision be appealed?
Yes. If we have refused the Mutual Exchange you can appeal to us. However, if another housing association has refused exchange, you’ll have to appeal to them direct.
Repairs and Responsibilities
Your Neighbourhood Housing Managers will conduct a property inspection in the initial stages of the application.
During this viewing they will check the condition of the property for any outstanding repairs. Any outstanding repairs you are responsible for, will have to be completed before the sign up.
The outgoing tenant will sign a tenant disclaimer at the sign up appointment, stating that all repairs have been completed and the property has been left in good condition.
The incoming tenant will also sign a disclaimer which will state any ‘gifted’ items left at the property (e.g. curtain poles, sheds, etc) will be the responsibility of the new tenant to maintain.
If you have any further questions about Mutual Exchanges see our website tchg.org.uk.
You can also email [email protected] call 01892 501628.
It is really important that you keep your rent account upto date and in credit as you could risk losing your home.
The easy hassle free methodYou can now set up a Direct Debit with asingle phone call to us - no more forms to complete!
FlexibilityYou can now choose any day of the month for your direct debit to be taken as well as the frequency e.g. weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
How can I set up a Direct Debit? You will need a bank account or similar that will allow direct debit payments to be taken from it.
Decide on what date and how frequently you would likeyour rent to be taken, then just call us on 01892 501480to set it up for you - it really is that easy! To save timewhen you call, please have your account details to hand.
Paying your rent to us swap
homeunderstanding mutual exchange
your
The My Home Online app!If you use your smartphone to get onlinerather than a computer why not try ourMy Home Online app?
We’ve built it especially for smartphones and tablets and it enables you to view your rent account, get a paperless rent statement, make a payment, report a repair, view repair history, update your personal details and contact us.
Download the app for free fromyour app store (Apple, Androidor Windows) and get informationon the go at your fi ngertips.
How long does the process take?
We have 42 calendar days to either approve or refuse your application.
During that period, we will write to you:
• either giving permission for you to proceed with the exchange and confi rming any conditions; or
• advising that we have not granted permission and explaining the reasons for refusal.
Once the references for the incoming tenants have been reviewed, the application will be submitted for approval.
If the exchange is approved, gas and electric safety checks are then arranged (these can take up to 2 weeks to book in). Please note that the sign up meeting cannot take place before the safety checks have been made.
As soon as we have confi rmation that the safety checks have been completed, we will contact you to arrangea sign up appointment.
Before the tenancy can start, all tenants named on the tenancy agreement from both exchanging parties mustbe available and present at the sign up appointment.
On average tenants move in within 8 - 10 weeks of submitting the application form. Please remember the process can sometimes take longer.
I should consider...
How manybedroomsdo I need?
Where doI wantto live?
Localservices and
schools
Is my rentup to date?
A mutual exchange enables you to swap your home with a Town & Country tenant or a tenant of another housing association or council, providing they have the right to mutual exchange and want to swap homes with you.
Who can apply for an exchange?
We encourage our tenants who want to move to consider the option of exchanging their home especially if they are not high priority for a transfer on the housing waiting list.
You cannot carry out an exchange if you have a starter tenancy, an assured short hold tenancy or a licence. Please contact your Neighbourhood Housing Manager if you are unsure about the type of tenancy you have.
What isa MutualExchange?
“Please can you help me?”
Register with Kent Home Choicewww.kenthomechoice.org.uk
Looking at and liking ourMutual Exchange Facebook page
facebook.com/town&countrymutualexchange
Register on the nationwide website Homeswapper www.homeswapper.co.uk
If you put Town & Country as your landlord we coverthe costs of using the website.
Advertising in local papers, shop windows and at other housing associations and council offi ces.
Looking through the Mutual Exchangeregister held in Town & Country’s mainreception at Monson House.
How to fi nd a Mutual Exchange swapThere are various ways to fi nd a suitable property swap
You may also fi nd a suitable property swap by:
For information or to ask about a mutual exchange contact
1
2
3
4
Speaking to your Neighbourhood HousingManager or Income Manager, who maybe able to assist in your search.
How to apply for a Mutual Exchange
When you have found someone to swap properties with, you should arrange to view the property to ensure that itis suitable for your needs.
After agreeing an exchange informally between yourselves, each of you should then apply formally to your own landlord for consent to the proposed exchange.
Contact our Customer Service Centre on 01892 501480 (option 2) and ask for a Mutual Exchange application form to be sent out in the post. If the tenancy is in joint names, both tenants must sign the form.
