Mutual exchange lets you swap your rented home with someone else living in a council or housing association property. It’s often the quickest and easiest way to find a home that better suits your needs—without waiting months or years on a housing list.
A great alternative if you can’t access—or don’t want to wait on—the local council’s waiting list.
No more waiting lists—find your next home on your terms!
You’re in control of the process, every step of the way.
Take charge—move when and where it suits you best.
Choose a home that truly suits you and your needs.
Find the perfect fit for you and your family.
Move where you want—locally or even nationally.
Your move, your choice—nearby or across the country!
We’ve signed up to the nationwide mutual exchange scheme HomeSwapper, so our customers can use the service for free.
HomeSwapper helps you search for possible swaps, get in touch with other tenants, and arrange viewings—until you find your perfect new home.
It’s easy to use, with a free app to download and plenty of help and support along the way.
We know moving home is a big decision, and you might have lots of questions about how mutual exchange works. To help you feel confident and in control, we’ve answered some of the questions we’re asked most often. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’re ready to begin your swap, you’ll find helpful information below to guide you every step of the way.
A mutual exchange is a home swap between two social housing customers. People choose to swap for lots of reasons—maybe you need more or less space, want to be closer to family, or are moving for work. It’s a great option if you don’t want to wait for a new allocation, as it gives you more control and lets you choose a home that suits your needs in a place you want to live.
There’s a high demand for social housing, so waiting lists can be long. HomeSwapper lets you find a swap without waiting months for a property—you get to choose the home that’s right for you. Once you find someone to swap with, we’ll approve your request within 42 days.
Just go to the HomeSwapper website and click ‘register’. Follow the easy steps to set up your account—it’s completely free for Aspire Housing customers. Fill in as much information as you can about your current home and the kind of home you’re looking for, and HomeSwapper will help match you with potential swaps. We’ll need to approve your application before you get full access.
You’ll need a secure or assured tenancy to be eligible for a mutual exchange. You also need to make sure:
No, it’s completely free for all Aspire Housing customers.
No, you can swap with any other council or housing association tenant anywhere in the UK.
Yes—you must have our permission before you move.
Once you’ve found someone to swap with and filled in your mutual exchange form, we have up to 42 days to let you know if your application is approved or refused.
No. It’s really important that you wait until you’ve signed for your new property before moving in. If you move in early, you could be classed as illegally occupying and risk losing your home.
It’s your responsibility to inspect the property before you agree to move. Agree with your exchange partner how the home will be left, and who’s responsible for any repairs or rubbish.
You can swap with:
You can’t swap with a private tenant—both homes must be social housing.
The HomeSwapper website has lots of helpful guides. If you need extra support, you can email the helpdesk at tenants@homeswapper.co.uk.