Mutual Exchange Chances Of Being Declined?

[DandyPinkDuck]

I’m currently in a multiswap where there’s 4 of us trying to mutually exchange our council properties. Forms have recently been sent off, I just have my form to post, but I’m rather anxious about the odds on two of us getting refused for under occupying. Any advice?

The lady I’m moving to has a 2 bedroom property where it’s herself and her two kids, they’re different genders but within the age group to share a room, she wants to move to a 3 bedroom property and has said her council aren’t strict and should allow it (Birmingham City Council) although I’m fearing they’ll say the two kids can share a room as that’s what it says on the website and that she’s only able to get a 2 bed but I’m trying to stay hopeful.

Then there’s also me who’s by myself in a 2 bedroom property, hoping to exchange for this lady's 2 bedroom property . Due to ongoing medical reasons I’m in the process of trying to get a carer and have supporting evidence which states this and that I need a carer for day/night. It seems a long process trying to get one unless I go private and I don’t have any friends/family here to apply as my carer however if I move then I’ll be able to have better support and would have someone able to apply for it so it’s a bit of a difficult one. I’ve sent over my medical evidence with the forms but not sure how they’ll respond as I don’t yet physically have a carer that’ll use the “spare” room but I have proof I’m needing one, in the process and as mentioned moving will allow me to have someone register as my carer.

I’ve already tried asking Birmingham council about these things and they simply tell us it should be a like for like and to fill out the forms then they’ll give us an answer…rather frustrating as there’s no point in us filling them out if we’re just gonna get denied. Guess we just have to wait but getting really anxious about it all.

Get a copy of the latest mutual exchange policy for each landlord as you can’t rely on the person at the end of the phone having the correct answer. Under occupying used to mean more than one spare bedroom, since the localism act all landlords now have the option to tighten this up in their policy. The family you mentioned who want the 3 bed would probably be accepted but not allowed a 4.
i think you will be ok as a you have carer ‘need’.
have a read of the policies so you can ask the right questions after you have the decisions. They have 42 days to refuse, if all the swappers are committed to seeing it through you can probably appeal. Good luck

I work for a HA - our rules state that for MX you can go up or down one room than normally allowed. I don’t know if that if the official rule for all MXs or if it’s just ours (I think it’s a general rule but can’t be sure).