Has anyone done a concil house extachange

[mumofftwo]

Has anyone done a council house exchange if so how long did it take to here back from then and how long did it take you to move in?

I haven’t but a friends daughter did back in the summer. It was about 6.5 weeks from first applying to moving in. Same HA for both houses & friends dd wanted a long standing boiler issue fixed before they moved in (the tenants they swapped with had proof of logging it multiple times).

Its with the same council im just worried as it is a 3 bed house and I have got 2 girls 4 and 3 so they can share I hope that wont effect it I have read that u can have a extra bedroom through mutual exchange I dont know how try this is though

I haven't exchanged but have looked into it. My council website does say they can refuse a swap if the property is deemed to big for your needs. Give your local council a ring just to make sure

It says on their website if it is to big they can refuse but I have rang them and they said they usually allow u to have one extra bedroom with mutual exchange so I'm not sure I no next door moved to a 4 bed house when she only needed a 3 bed

Well they swapped from a 1 bed flat in to a 2 bed house & have no dc so yes it is possible, presumably they can refuse but I think it’s less likely with a swap.

Ok thank you they are wanting to go from a 3 bed to a 2 bed and it's just the two off them

I think it’s probably worth trying. It’s not like the free stock when you’re in the bidding system. Both properties are already occupied & it sounds like you’re both going for better matches. The worst they’ll say is no.

Yeah I no we have tool the paper work so it's just waiting to hear back from it that's the hardest part and I keep thinking they will pull out off it but I think its just coz I'm looking forward to it if I'm allowed it

I used to deal with these exchanges when I was temping for a local council. We allowed one bedroom extra. The only thing they point out now is any potential bedroom tax should circumstances change such ascgoing onto universal credit. Can't refuse it though unless there is a court order such as for rent arrears those type of reasons. The law is a decision from the LA within 6 weeks

I think you'll only find out by trying, my friend was unable to swap her 3 bed for another 3 bed as the people wanting hers counted as under occupying (even though they were in a house the same size and remained in it when the swap was denied). I think different councils and HA have different policies, so it will depend where you are.

Mine took about 6 weeks, I know 2 mums who swapped into 3 beds with 2 kids so I would expect a yes

It's a PITA though as you hear nothing and then it happens very quickly, We got call on Monday and had moved out by the following Monday.

Bedroom tax wouldn't count as we pay are full rent and they are wanting to down size as its just them two and we arnt waiting to move till after xmas