Mutual exchange

As a council or housing association tenant you may be able to swap properties with another tenant under the mutual exchange scheme. This is especially useful for tenants who:

• are interested in moving to a new area
• want to find a more suitable home
• need a smaller or larger home

A mutual exchange happens when two tenants decide to swap tenancies (or when three or more tenants decide to move round in a 'chain') and means that you take over the other party's tenancy with any rights or limitations that go with it. This must be with the agreement of everyone's landlords. 

A minimum of one week's rent will be payable in advance upon approval of a Mutual Exchange request.

If you are looking to move home, a mutual exchange allows you to swap your home with another council or housing association tenant, subject to landlord approval.

House Exchange
Please note that our current provider House Exchange will cease trading on 31 July 2026. From this date, customers will no longer be able to register or search for a mutual exchange through the House Exchange website.

Applying for a Mutual Exchange
You can still apply for a mutual exchange if you have already found another tenant to exchange with.
Complete a Mutual Exchange Application Form and email it to neighbourhoods@westlancs.gov.uk .

Mutual Exchange Form Link: https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/media/546786/mutual-exchange-application.doc

We are currently exploring alternative mutual exchange platforms. Once a new provider has been appointed, we will update this webpage with further information.

Need Help?
Email: neighbourhoods@westlancs.gov.uk
Telephone: 01695 577177