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House swaps

The Mumsnet house swaps topic is intended for Mumsnet members who want to organise house swaps with other members. It's not for individuals or companies to advertise house swaps or holiday lets. For £30, you can advertise your company or products for 90 days. If you are a larger business and wish to advertise on Mumsnet, please email [email protected].

Home swap

10 replies

Momtoprincess · 03/02/2026 17:35

Hi im due to visit a council house for a 3 way swap. I am going for her house and she is going for a Masionate, lady that is swapping with her is interested in my flat. I want to ask what should I look out for and ask when I visit. I am anxious and nervous as im going alone.

OP posts:
Iwilldoitnowinaminutemam · 03/02/2026 22:36

I would ask if any anti social behaviour or neighbour disputes. No matter how lovely the home, this is what could disrupt that.

In relation to the property, how good are the HA in carrying out maintenance repairs etc

ImDoneOnceAndForAll2 · 03/02/2026 22:37

They wont tell her if the neighbours are bad.
They want to move out

Momtoprincess · 04/02/2026 06:51

Thats something im worried about the neighbours. I also feel many tenants dont downgrade they upgrade, why is she going from a full house to maisonette.
The one I am swapping with seems in a rush to move into mine even suggested doing the swap without me viewing.

OP posts:
Serafee · 04/02/2026 06:54

If you drive I would be inclined to park outside one weekend and just observe for a few hours.

Sohelpmegod25 · 04/02/2026 06:57

Yes about parking outside
I’d visit afew times day and night

People want to downsize/move for all sorts of reasons. If their kids have moved out perhaps or cheaper rent/running costs.

I hope it works out for you.

LetMeStayInBed · 04/02/2026 07:19

We downgraded from a 3 bed house to a two bed flat in a much nicer area. I had lived in the 3 bed for years. It was just not an area I ever wanted to live in but we just kind of settled for it and got on with life. Eventually one of the neighbours started causing me anxiety - (angry shouting and banging when they had been drinking. Nothing ever happened to anyone but hearing it was really upsetting). I looked on the homeswap website knowing that having a 3 bed house put me in a good position for a swap. The family I swapped with had 4 children so it was great for them. I was honest about the noise next door. She just said I bet we are worse…Confused
I love where I live now.
I think that before you even see the house you should try and drive around the road a couple of different times of day - night too if you can - see how it feels - obviously walking around would be better but if you don’t have anyone to go with you that may not be possible.

Momtoprincess · 04/02/2026 09:02

Thank you all for the great advice. She is moving from a 2 bed house to a 2 bed Masionate. It was arranged for me yo go and visit today but she messaged saying she is not well and come tomorrow. I was so nervous couldn't get any sleep at all. I just hope all goes well for us. I appreciate all your advice.

OP posts:
Bringflowersofthefairest · 10/02/2026 09:21

I would be concerned about her wanting to swap without you viewing and now cancelling because she says she’s unwell. Seems a bit dodgy she’s so desperate to move. It does sound a bit iffy. Do you have anyone you can take with you for a bit of support?

rockingroller · 10/02/2026 09:21

Momtoprincess · 04/02/2026 09:02

Thank you all for the great advice. She is moving from a 2 bed house to a 2 bed Masionate. It was arranged for me yo go and visit today but she messaged saying she is not well and come tomorrow. I was so nervous couldn't get any sleep at all. I just hope all goes well for us. I appreciate all your advice.

TBH I would be a bit suspicious about that delay. How many illnesses make you too ill to let another woman walk round your home and chat for 5 minutes, but only last one day? But maybe she just hadn't had time to tidy up.

exhaustedmum24 · 10/02/2026 09:40

I did a 3 way swap two years ago, I ended up getting a 4 bed detached which I love but I didn’t look at the detail of things.

Rusty plug socket outside that hasn’t been covered

My light outside the back garden doesn’t work due to her cowboy electrics and was just simply cut that her hot tub was connected too

Mould in the bathroom on the ceiling

She had shaved the skirting boards downstairs and where I’ve taken up her rotten, damaged flooring I now have an inch gap under the skirting boards and floor.

Electrical faults as hadn’t been maintained

Had rats in the loft and when questioned has she had this before she told me no yet pest control told me they had been here before.

plumbing issues again where they hadn’t been maintained

Holes everywhere that I had to fill.

There is wiring all round my house and in every room for satellite which cannot be used as she’s just snipped the wires so need to get it all removed and fill the holes

Had a leak through the dining room ceiling that caused a huge stain.

She also left stuff on the drive that had to be cleared away.

She left a load of crap in the loft too that I had to clear out.

Various paint pots left on the cupboard upstairs.

There are a lot more than this but this is all I can think of at the moment, since moving her I’ve had to book over 25 repairs. Yes they are minor and yes I lucky to have a 4 bed house but just be very wary and have an eye for detail. Housing association I have found aren’t as good as council. They have refused to do any work on this house and I’ve had to do it out of my own pocket because I took it as it is. I have done a lot of work on this house since moving in but there’s still loads to do. I would also look into the neighbourhood and crime rates of that area. Maybe even speak to locals on the road about the area too. I would also look at reviews on the landlord your going to be transferring too as in do they do the work? Etc etc

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