Social housing mutual exchange

ONE81

Hello, could I please have some advice on a scenario? Living in a one bedroom flat owned by a housing association and my planning for my partner to move in. He has two children who visit every weekend and we would need more space for them. If I was to find a suitable property through a mutual exchange, would the other housing association or council allow me to take on a 2 bed property? I would be the only one on the tenancy agreement, however my circumstances have now changed and my long term partner and I are planning ahead. 

Any advice would be great. Thank you. 

laurent22

I'm pretty sure they would only consider  extra bedrooms for children who permanently reside at the property and are listed as occupants at the address.  Hope this helps. 

Elmer_BeFuddled

To be blunt, I wouldn't build your hopes up

tinytiddles

It will very much depend on the landlord’s policies but many are very very cautious about new lettings or assignments of tenancy to underoccupying households these days (which this would be as the children aren’t permanent residents). 

The reason for this is because if you were to find yourself on universal credit, you would be subject to the bedroom tax resulting in a shortfall of benefit which you would have to make up the difference via your own means. Of course in reality (because people on UC are on a low income) this means that the shortfall tends to go unpaid and the arrears build up and need chasing. So the landlord will keep their powder dry and make sure the rent can be covered in full by UC. 

HampshireH

You are entitled for like for like on a mutual exchange and some councils/HA will allow you to MX into a property with 1 extra bedroom but will not be eligible for housing benefit for that room.

Your Association/Councils policy will be the best place to check.