Home Swap Help

antig898

Thanks All

Lioness_Twinkletoes

Louise, more information is required:

Are you exchanging a two bed for a two bed?
Is your tenancy currently a single tenancy?
Are you asking if the LA will add your brother to the tenancy?

antig898

Thanks for all the info people

kelpie35

The only way you will know for definite is by trying.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

kelpie35 wrote: »

The only way you will know for definite is by trying.

No. That just gets everyone's hopes up - including the other person included in the swap.. If you are moving from a one bed to a two, you'll need to contact the LA/HA and ask if they'll add you brother to the tenancy and move into a larger home.

A LOT of organisations will not permit a move into a property too big or too small. So contact them and ask.

Rosieandjim

I cannot see any reason why you cant swap as long as you are upfront about your situation. I think if your brother lives with you for 2 years he can be added to the tenancy. Do check the length of time as it may vary from council to council. He will at some time have to go on the electoral roll as living at your address anyway. Plus don't forget you will have to pay more council tax and will loose your single person allowance


My authority have said that me and hubby can have a 2 bed if we wanted to exchange.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

Rosieandjim wrote: »

I cannot see any reason why you cant swap as long as you are upfront about your situation. I think if your brother lives with you for 2 years he can be added to the tenancy. Do check the length of time as it may vary from council to council. He will at some time have to go on the electoral roll as living at your address anyway. Plus don't forget you will have to pay more council tax and will loose your single person allowance

My authority have said that me and hubby can have a 2 bed if we wanted to exchange.

How will the OP prove her brother has lived at the property for two years? If you read the OP it states...

antig898 wrote: »

...Due to his circumstances, he hasn't any bills or anything at my address in his name, etc

Also, as previously stated, not ALL LA's allow swaps into larger/smaller properties. Yours does. Mine doesn't. Hence, the ONLY sensible advice is for the OP to speak to the landlord of the property before she starts the transfer process. Anything else is speculation and extremely unhelpful.

AlexMac

Maybe be upfront with the LA; and quietly canvass your most sympathetic Ward Councillor (check who they are and which party they represent form your town hall website- there may be up to 3 for your electoral ward so check if they influential; i.e. are from the Council's ruling majority party - but they may help even if they aren't)
and any ex-prisoner support agencies or charities...

Good luck; good that he has your support

Rosieandjim

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

How will the OP prove her brother has lived at the property for two years? If you read the OP it states...


Also, as previously stated, not ALL LA's allow swaps into larger/smaller properties. Yours does. Mine doesn't. Hence, the ONLY sensible advice is for the OP to speak to the landlord of the property before she starts the transfer process. Anything else is speculation and extremely unhelpful.

He hasn't been living there for 2 years as he only came out of prison in February. I meant when he has lived there for 2 years he may be able to go onto the tenancy. I agree that all LA's are different so op would need to check/ discuss this as I stated . I was only giving my experience apologies if you think this unhelpful

Ratkin007

As a council tenant you should be able to exchsnge into a property with an extra bedroom. Therefore whether your brother lives with you or not should not make a difference. However what may be a problem is whether there are restrictions on who can move into the bungalow. Generally a person is in a bungalow due to age or medical reasons. Have a discussion with the council's mutual exchange officer if they have one. Housing officers are generally not so knowledgeable. In relation to adding your brother to your tenancy not such a great idea (you only need to demonstrate 12 months residency) in addition, as you only have 1 bedroom you are potentially going against your tenancy agreement on overcrowding.

Ratkin007

Are both properties Council? go to their website and look up mutual exchanges. Also Housing Act 1985 details grounds for refusal. one of which is the accommodation is substantially more extensive than is required. One spare room is not substantially more extensive. Homeswap is just a method of finding an exchange partner. Some people use local papers or shops.