Getting a mutual exchange
If you live in a council house or social house and you want to move, you can swap homes with another tenant. This is called a mutual exchange.
You can exchange with someone who rents from a council or housing association anywhere in Scotland.
You need to get permission from your landlord before exchanging your home. Your landlord is the council or housing association you rent from.
Check if you can get an exchange
Ask your landlord for their mutual exchange policy if they have one.
You can usually get an exchange if both of these apply:
you live in a self-contained home, like a flat or a house
you have a Scottish secure tenancy
You usually cannot get an exchange if you live in a bedsit, hostel or supported accommodation.
Who you can exchange with
You can exchange with someone who has the same landlord or a different one.
Both you and the tenant you want to swap with must get permission from your landlords to exchange your homes.
Some landlords may let you exchange tenancies across the UK, but some may only allow you to exchange in Scotland.
Problems getting permission for an exchange
If you have a short Scottish secure tenancy, you can still apply for an exchange, but it might be harder to get permission.
If you’ve had problems with your tenancy, such as rent arrears, you might need to deal with them before an exchange will be approved.
Tell your landlord that you want to look for an exchange and ask if there are any conditions.
Where to look for an exchange
You could:
register online at websites like Homeswapper and House Exchange
ask your housing association for help with exchanging your social home
ask your council for help with swapping your council home
look for an exchange on social media groups, forums, and websites like Gumtree
Some landlords offer access to mutual exchange websites. Check if your landlord offers this. If not, you may need to pay a small fee to join.
Once you find a match, contact the current tenant and arrange times that suit you both to view each others’ homes.
What to check before agreeing to an exchange
Always try to view the property in person before deciding to exchange.
At the viewing, look around and ask questions. Check:
how much the rent is
the average cost of bills
if there are any repair issues that need to be fixed
if the location suits your needs – for example, if there’s enough public transport or parking nearby
what fixtures and fittings are included – for example, carpets, curtains or light fittings
If you're looking at homes elsewhere in the UK, you should also check what type of tenancy you would get. Your rights will be different depending on the tenancy type. If you're staying in Scotland, you'll usually get a Scottish secure tenancy with the same rights.
You cannot offer someone money to get them to agree to an exchange.
If you agree on an exchange
Get permission in writing from both landlords before you go ahead with the swap. Otherwise, you could have problems with your right to stay in your new home in future.
Ask your council or housing association if there's a specific form you should fill in to request permission.
After you request permission your landlord has 1 month to let you know if your request has been approved.
Your landlord will usually also inspect your home to check:
any repair issues that need to be fixed
any damage or alterations you’ve made
health and safety issues, including gas and electrical checks
any other issues with your tenancy
Once the inspection has been done, you can sign the paperwork and agree on a moving date that suits both of you.
Your landlord should give you any forms that you need to assign your tenancies to each other.
You or the other tenant can change your mind before the exchange is finalised. Try not to spend any money on moving before you’ve signed your new tenancy agreement.
If your landlord refuses to approve an exchange
They must tell you the reason why in writing. For example, they could refuse if:
they’ve started eviction action against you
the home you want to move to is too small or large for your family
your home has adaptations that are not needed by the person you want to exchange with, or vice versa
you work for your landlord, and your home was provided in connection with your job
Appealing the decision
If you think you’ve been unfairly refused an exchange, you can appeal the decision at the sheriff court.
You must apply to the court within 21 days of your landlord’s letter.
If you want to appeal, contact a Shelter Scotland adviser. They can help you work out if you have a strong case.
You'll need help from a solicitor to appeal. Check our advice on getting legal help for free or at a lower cost.
Other ways to find a new home
If you’re not able to exchange your home, you could consider:
applying for a transfer to a different home with the same council or housing association
Last updated: 24 July 2024
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.