Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Original poster

To be sceptical, house swap

171 replies

Continue1 · 17/01/2019 07:01

I've got the chance of swapping my 2 bedroom with a 3 bedroom but the lady's house failed inspection ☹ she's got a list of stuff that needs doing, and has pretty much asked for my help as she doesn't know what to do. 5 internal doors need to be replaced and they have to be the HA doors, they are £68 a door 😩 toilet seats need replaced, actual brand ones. £26 a seat! She's basically said I can have the house but I need to help her. I have 3 children under 5, on UC. I could never afford this! Plus what if I do help and she swaps with somebody else? Or pulls out! I'm so torn☹

OP posts:

newestbridearound · 17/01/2019 10:09

I wonder if she was hoping you’d fork out for new doors, toilet seats etc then say well the HA won’t allow us to swap. Maybe now she’s annoyed since you’ve been given the go ahead without any works happening.
I hope it can work out for you OP but I wouldn’t get too excited because as a pp said there are many time wasters around.

makingmiracles · 17/01/2019 10:11

GEt everything in writing. ABsolutely do not pay whilst the woman is still in the house, agree it with the HA that’s you will complete works within so long of moving in.

Good luck, I’ve been waiting 9yrs and recently the search has become very desperate and needed urgently so I feel you’re pain but don’t get screwed over.

Original poster

Continue1 · 17/01/2019 10:12

Ok she keeps messaging me asking who I spoke to and wondering why I've mow been told different.
So I phoned HA again and they've told me a different story, said I need to get the lady to contact them saying that she's spoken to me and I'm happy with it. I need to give written consent to accepting it in it's current state and that it should be ok.
Fs what a kurrfuffle

OP posts:

EmeraldShamrock · 17/01/2019 10:32

Can you phone the citizens advice. Did you get the names of the first two you spike too, never feel rude just say who am I speaking with and write the name.
You might have a fight with the HA but you can do this, speak to local councillors if possible. The extra room is probably costing the other lady plus extra space to heat, hopefully she is genuine and it works out. Good luck

Bluelonerose · 17/01/2019 10:35

I was going to say ha aren't normally fussed about tennent repairs.
It does sound like she's not really up for swapping though.
I can completly understand your frustration but in your situation I would email who ever you spoke to and say you are happy to except x house knowing you will be responsible for the repairs.
Then tell the woman you want to swap with what you've done so she can contact the same person .
Fingers crossed for you. I hate the limbo of swapping

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 17/01/2019 10:41

So I phoned HA again and they've told me a different story, said I need to get the lady to contact them saying that she's spoken to me and I'm happy with it. I need to give written consent to accepting it in it's current state and that it should be ok.

Did you get the previous advice in writing? Or this advice? It seems that they keep changing the goalposts.

But also, be very careful providing written consent to accepting it in it's current condition. That may well mean the HA does not need to pay to fix anything currently broken - fine if it's just the things you are aware of, but not great if there are bigger problems like the electrics or the heating being dodgy or the oven being broken etc. It doesn't sound like it's been well looked after.

flooredbored · 17/01/2019 10:45

Hmm sounds a bit suss to me. I definitely wouldn't pay for anything in advance.

needanappp · 17/01/2019 10:47

Maybe I'm just being skeptical but it sounds to me like this lady you're potentially swapping with just wants someone to pay for the damages in her property.

slappinthebass · 17/01/2019 10:54

The only reason she would want to downsize is because she cannot afford to pay the extra rent fee on the third room. So it does stand to reason that she couldn't afford the toilet seats and doors. Yes it is definitely a risk to help her, but I think it would be a risk I'd be prepared to take if you really want the house. If your house has already been approved could you swap doors and toilet seats with her?

Original poster

Continue1 · 17/01/2019 11:09

It's only her in her house, so that's the reason for downsizing. Even if the oven didn't work she'd be taking it with her
I'm not sure what they'd do if heating didn't work but they don't inspect that when doing the check.
No my doors are completely different

OP posts:

Notwiththeseknees · 17/01/2019 11:14

When you get her to speak to them to okay it - make sure you tell her that it's YOU they have okayed the swap with as YOU have agreed "blah blah blah" and you are going to do all the work.
Don't let her think she can just go to one of her other swapees with a deal! Encourage her to think it is under your particular circumstances -3 children - high priority etc etc etc.

SaucyJack · 17/01/2019 11:15

That seems extremely unlikely Anchor

If this particular HA won’t let a tenant move out without making good cosmetic damage to doors, then they’re likely to have extremely high standards when it comes to their own legal responsibilities to the fabrics and fixtures of the place as well (cookers and other white goods are supplied by tenants btw)

It’s the ones who don’t give a frog about the state of a property that you need to watch.

Ellisandra · 17/01/2019 11:18

I don’t think the HA have moved the goal posts at all. They told you that it was OK to do a swap without the current tenant doing repairs, in principle, but that you need to speak to the maintenance team and the housing officer.

It’s hardly a kerfuffle - you know all this by 11:00 when you hadn’t even phoned them when you started the thread! You need to go through the right steps to protect your interests and the landlords.

Proceed only as instructed by the Housing Officer, and with everything in writing.

Be cautious that now the current tenant knows it can be done, she will (understandably) approach whoever else has already expressed an interest, if she prefers their property.

Original poster

Continue1 · 17/01/2019 11:22

Well they have a bit, they've now said that a letter needs to go to them, that was never mentioned before.
But yes, I do think she will approach somebody else now that she knows it can be done

OP posts:

AdobeWanKenobi · 17/01/2019 11:28

DH worked in LA in a different life and was pulled in to help after a house swap. Person had moved in to what they thought was a decent home only to find a catalogue of DIY disasters that actually threatened the structure of the house. Even the front porch had no foundations and was just 2 piles of bricks with a canopy on top.
Cost them tens of thousands to put right so I can see why HA's are now more involved than there were.

cloudtree · 17/01/2019 11:30

Draft up an email for her to send and give it to her. Shortcut her faffing about time. I would also advise her as pp has said that they are willing to do this in your case following your detailed conversations with them and the assurances you have given them. You suspect this is due to the various discussions and assurances and your current position with your children and their ages etc.

Original poster

Continue1 · 17/01/2019 11:44

Thank you all, I will try once again to phone the HA and get a hold of her housing officer as they weren't able to put me through last time. I will get an email from them this time!!
She sounds reluctant to do anything now and see down I'm wondering is that because I didn't pay out? Like a pp said, seems she's disappointed that I gave no money and to find out that the swap may go ahead without the repairs.

OP posts:

ExFury · 17/01/2019 11:52

Be very careful that she’s not mostly after the money

Original poster

Continue1 · 17/01/2019 11:58

I think she is/was pp, her messages are getting more and more disgruntled

OP posts:

Original poster

Continue1 · 17/01/2019 12:00

She's adamant that what the HA have said to me is completely wrong, despite being told 3 times now

OP posts:

ExFury · 17/01/2019 12:04

Don’t engage with her anymore if you think she’s trying to scam you.

If the HA have told you they’d do it then you can only take them at their wors

cloudtree · 17/01/2019 12:12

"Ok never mind - if you do decide you want to go ahead I have organised for it to happen quickly and easily and have the relevant people lined up and ready to action it. If not then no problem I will find someone else. Let me know."

NoSquirrels · 17/01/2019 12:25

How frustrating for you, OP!

Just message back:

OK, I have got all the info from the housing association, and told them of my circumstances and that you are keen to swap with me. I have said I will guaranteed the repairs will be done as soon as I move in. Maybe the other people couldn't do that? Anyway, if you want to swap we can sort it quickly. If not, I'll look elsewhere. Just let me know what you decide. Thanks.

NoSquirrels · 17/01/2019 12:27

If she tries this on with people every month, and they send money to her, she could easily afford the bedroom tax...

Fingers crossed it works out for you but try not to spend any more time on it now until she decides to do something.

SpoonBlender · 17/01/2019 12:55

When we did a council house swap (Cambridge City) there was an inspection of each but that was to get a list of things for us to sign off on accepting as-is. No work was forced upon us, just documentation that we were okay with the state we were taking it in and therefore couldn't just bug the council to fix it after the swap.

I can't recall the council doing anything as remediations themselves at the time, but neither place was in bad condition.

So this "as long as you agree all is acceptable, go ahead" thing certainly does happen in some HAs.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Swipe left for the next trending thread