Ending tenancy question

9 replies

kid · 01/03/2013 00:32

Does anyone have any experience of ending a council tenancy?
I have been approached by a friend to do a mutual exchange knowing full well that I am going to end my tenancy.

I am aware that I have to give 4 weeks notice on my tenancy and that I'd be responsible for the rent during this period. I'm not convinced its a good idea to do the exchange and I'm concerned about getting in trouble over it.
I'm not going to gain anything from it, well maybe a few grey hairs but no cash will be coming my way or anything like that.

So, would this be considered fraud or would the council be happy to be getting a property back to lease to someone else?

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Original poster

kid · 01/03/2013 17:14

Anyone?

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narmada · 01/03/2013 23:32

Confused...Is your friend also in social rented?

Were you ending the tenancy anyway?

Original poster

kid · 02/03/2013 08:01

Yes, friend rents from council and wants to do a swap with my housing association property.
I'm ending my tenancy as I'm buying a house. The idea is, we do a mutual exchange, she gets my house and I hand back her old property to the council as its no longer required.

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ThePskettiIncident · 02/03/2013 08:05

When you swap, you get her tenancy agreement, so look at that to find out.

Original poster

kid · 02/03/2013 08:40

It will be too late then!
Thanks for replying, I'm sure others have been through similar. I just think its a lot of hassle tbh. I'm moving regardless of what happens here, just trying to help someone else out but its clearly not going to be that easy.

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OohShiny · 02/03/2013 08:43

We have a policy that once a mutual exchange happens you have to have moved into our property for 3 months before you can give notice/transfer/do another exchange or we might consider making the original person move back. Don't think it's ever been enforced though tbh.

Original poster

kid · 02/03/2013 08:53

Thank you OohShiny, if that is the case, I obviously need to know beforehand.

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ThePskettiIncident · 02/03/2013 09:09

Can't you ask your friend to see the agreement first? If I was doing an exchange? I'd definitely want to check before agreeing. It also takes the housing assoc at least six weeks to process requests for exchange, which you may need to factor in.

Original poster

kid · 02/03/2013 09:15

The whole thing is a bit of a nightmare tbh
Ever wonder why you agree to help someone and then end up with more work and worry?
I guess I'll just have to see what happens. I think I can view tenants handbook online, I'll have a look.

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