What are the benefits of registration?
By registering with House Exchange you will be able to advertise your current home and gain access to all of the search options and contact details of the properties already registered on this website by other Housing Association and Local Authority tenants.
You can update, amend or remove your details your details at any time.
How do I know if the information on the website is accurate?
Applicants supply their own information. House Exchange accepts no liability for any incorrect details contained on the website. We strongly recommend that you personally check all details before any mutual exchange takes place.
I have registered but I can not login to the site
Once you register your details will be checked by our staff. When your registration details have been verified you will be sent a letter containing your ID number and password to access the website.
If you have received this letter but have forgotten your password, please contact L&Q Direct on 0800 015 6536.
If you have not used your account for 3 months, then it will no longer be "live". If you wish to continue using the website contact L&Q Direct to re-instate your account.
Why are my login details sent in a letter and not e-mailed?
This is for security reasons. We need to be sure that you are who you say you are. This is to protect you and to ensure that the website is not misused.
I am in rent arrears, can I still exchange?
If you are in arrears you can register with House Exchange and request our permission to exchange with someone. However, no exchange can take place unless the arrears are cleared.
What size property could I have?
For a Mutual Exchange we will allow you to request an exchange with another property that is either the same size as your current home or has one spare bedroom. (Not all landlords will do this so you may need to check their policy).
We will
not agree to an exchange where either property would become overcrowded.
Can I add photos?
Yes. House Exchange allows you to add up to 2 photographs to accompany your advert. We recommend that you do this as more people will look at adverts containing photographs.
Please ensure that any photographs you use are appropriate (i.e photographs of the property and not of people) and inoffensive or they will be removed.
What happens when I have found someone to swap with?
Once you have found a suitable property and are happy to swap, you will need our permission. Please complete and return our Mutual Exchange Request form (which you can download
here* or contact L&Q Direct).
We will then obtain a reference from the other tenant’s landlord and give a reference about your tenancy to them. We will need to pass on information such as family size and your rent account balance.
We will also arrange to conduct an inspection of your home. Any work that needs to be rectified will be agreed with you before the exchange goes ahead.
Whilst we will try and process your application quickly this process does take time to complete, so please be realistic about the time it will take for you to be able to move. We will grant or refuse permission within the statutory period of 42 days.
* To view and download this form you will need Adobe Reader 
Can an exchange be refused?
As a landlord, L&Q will not unreasonably withhold permission for you to exchange your home. The reasons why we would refuse are set out in the Housing Act 1985. As a guide, the most common reasons for refusal are:
+ A court order has been made to give up possession of the property
+ A Notice of Seeking Possession has been served and is still in force
+ The property will be too big or too small for the incoming tenant(s)
+ The property (or scheme) has been designed or substantially adapted
for a specific purpose (e.g. the property has been adapted so that a physically
disabled person can live there or sheltered housing for elderly persons)
If I swap homes, do I keep my Right to Buy?
When you swap homes you will swap tenancies. Please bear in mind that not all tenancies will have the Right to Buy, so before you exchange you should check the terms and conditions of the tenancy with the landlord.
Can I offer money so someone will swap with me?
No. It is illegal to offer any incentives for a mutual exchange.
Do not offer or accept any money (or other incentive) to make an exchange happen.
What is a three-way exchange?
A three way exchange is where you have found someone to swap with but they don’t want to move in to your property. So instead of a direct swap you find someone else to complete the loop.
When you
register with House Exchange you can search for possible three-way exchanges.
What about joint tenancies?
In order to complete a mutual exchange when you have a joint tenancy, both tenants will have to agree to an exchange taking place, as both will have to sign the Deed of Assignment.
What can I do if I am unhappy with the way my exchange is being dealt with?
We hope that everything will go smoothly but if you are unhappy with the way your exchange is being handled you should firstly speak to the Tenancy Services/Lettings Officer concerned.
If you are still unhappy then you should pursue your complaint through our complaints procedure.