Mutual exchange

[sunnyside257]

Just a rant really.

Basically I'm due a baby in June. Still a while to go yet but I currently live in a 2 bed council house with my husband and 7 year old daughter.

We have found a couple who have a 3 bedroom house. They are happy to exchange with us as they are looking to downsize as they're kids have left home.

We have been told that we can't swap because they won't allow a family of 4 to move in to a 3 bedroom house even with a baby on the way because we'd be under occupying the tenancy... really? The couple are only using one room, if I moved in we'd be using 2 rooms to start with and then the baby would have the third.

I really don't get their logic. If both parties are happy and willing to move then why can't we? It's frustrating and not fair at all.

Luckily the couple are happy to wait and swap with us when we are able but it's just silly that we have to wait

Meant a family of 3* soon to be 4

Most councils or housing associations will say that even with two children, as long as they are both under the age of 10, you will still only be 'entitled to' a 2-bedroom house. So check that you will be able to move once you have had the baby, as they may still not let you.

@hotchocdrinker - it's just so annoying, I don't know why it matters if the kids are over age 10, they should still be entitled to their own rooms. I swapped before when I was pregnant with my first and we moved from a 1 bed to a 2 bed when I was pregnant so I don't know why it's different this time.

It just seems silly as the couple we are swapping with have 2 extra bedrooms and that's totally fine but we're not allowed to move so we can use all 3 rooms.

I know I'm lucky to have a house in the first place but I think if 2 people want to swap and both parties are happy then I don't see why there should be an issue.

@sunnyside257 I know. The same thing happened in the village where I used to live. It seems ridiculous when both parties would be happier than in their current situations.

No kids aren’t “entitled to their own room” I have 4 kids in a 3 bed and that’s all we are entitled to

@TurnUpTurnip - I said they "should be entitled to their own rooms"

They shouldn't be made to share. Not that there's anything wrong with sharing a room but there's not really a good reason why the council have to step in especially when it's a mutual exchange and both parties are happy.