I have been a low banding on the council housing register and waited patiently knowing there were new sites due completion. There wasn’t even a single property in two years to bid on!
The start of April, via homeseeker I was contacted for a mutual exchange in an ideal location (greenspaces, local friends, close family proximity) for myself and we began the process. All my checks have been done, but we were awaiting references for the other tenant to finalise. The people are under occupying and I am in over occupancy, and they’re desperate to move due to my current rent being 50% less as they’re also paying bedroom tax on top.
I emailed the Housing Association to try get this finalised, to be told they were rejecting the mutual exchange temporarily due to being too busy with the new properties. All mutual exchanges on hold. I also then got advised I was being offered one of these new properties - they became available the same day I got my mutual exchange acceptance letter from my landlord. I bid still, incase the tenant pulled out.
I’ve asked so I can make an informed decision, for them to review and let me know if the exchange if feasible and they have refused to look at it until they’ve handed over the new estate. I feel so ungrateful, as either way I will now have a suitable move… but I have believed I am moving into this home for over a month! Both properties are handled by the same housing association, so they’re aware I am an incoming tenant.
Here is where I sound ungrateful - I’m now comparing - If this exchange never came up I’d have been ecstatic and thrilled.
The new build flats lack green space as they’re built in a business development, have open living (vs separate kitchen and living areas of the exchange), are some Sqm smaller, and also say no pets - the other property does accept pets. I have a cat I’ve had 7 years, and I know I could apply for permission with the hope they say yes, but I don’t know if I can justify rehoming my pet if they say no?!
I would reject the offer of the new property to continue the exchange, but the housing association also stated the tenancy type does not give legal right to an exchange and they only permit them where they can/ if it suits them basically…. They offered the tenant a move to the HA’s own smaller property over processing me from an external landlord. So if I reject this move and the HA really do say no to the exchange, I will 1/ be penalised in my banding and low priority after being high in the list, and 2/ be without a really needed move.
There are other HOUSE developments due to finalise next year but I currently share a room with my child and it really disrupts their sleep.
what would you do?? I’ve already escalated this to higher ups but they won’t budge. I don’t know if to accept or reject this offer now :(