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NCHLFT39
MutualexchangesFind a home you would like to move to
2 Mutual exchanges
ContentsMutual exchanges page 3
Getting started page 3
How do I find a match? page 4
Next steps... page 7
Mutual exchange process page 8
Your questions answered page 9
Note pages page 10
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Mutual exchangesA mutual exchange is where you find a home you would like to move to – and where the tenant is willing to swap with you.
At Nottingham City Homes we use a website called HomeSwapper to help people fi nd a match.
What is HomeSwapper?
HomeSwapper is the UK’s largest online community of social housing tenants looking for a mutual exchange. Tenants of Nottingham City Homes can exchange with other tenants using HomeSwapper and it’s FREE to use.
Getting startedHow and where can I register?HomeSwapper is an online system that needs internet access.
All you need to do is log on to HomeSwapper at www.homeswapper.co.uk then enter your details, the type of home and area you’re looking for – and the website will automatically match you to possible swaps.
If you don’t have a computer and the internet at home, you can get FREE access to register with HomeSwapper at:
• your local housing offi ce • your local Library (local charges may apply).
How to register • Log on to HomeSwapper at www.homeswapper.co.uk
• Click ‘Join today’ • Enter your details about you, your contact details, your home and the home you want • Choose your username and password • Nottingham City Homes will receive an e-mail asking them to approve your membership to HomeSwapper. This usually takes a couple of days – and then you will be able to use HomeSwapper for free.
Top tip: Add in photographs of your home by following the instructions on the HomeSwapper website – it might help you fi nd a match quicker!
4 Mutual exchanges
• You will be sent e-mails and text messages informing you of any homes you may be interested in or
• Log on to HomeSwapper using your user name and password.
How do I find a match?
Continues on next page
• Click ‘Matches’. You will see a list of homes which you may be interested in and who may be interested in your home.
This is called a match.
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• Click ‘Contact details’ if you would like to make contact with the person advertising a home you would be interested in viewing.
• Click here to view a map of where the home is located.
Continues on next page
• Click ‘The property address’ on any home you would like to find out more about.
6 Mutual exchanges
• If, once both parties have viewed each others homes, you both agree you would like to exchange homes contact Nottingham City Homes (see page seven for details)to apply to mutually exchange your homes.
Top tip: Check HomeSwapper website on a regular basis to view your matches.
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Next steps... • Pick up an application form from your local housing offi ce or download a copy from our website www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk/fi nd_a_home. From here, click ‘Useful links and documents’ in the left-hand navigation and then click ‘Mutual exchange application form’ to download
• Complete the application form, making sure all parts are completed and signed by all the tenants applying for the exchange. Hand in your application form to your local housing offi ce, or post or e-mail directly to us at:
Nottingham City Homes Housing Options and HomeLink Team Oak View C/O Harvey Road Bilborough Nottingham NG8 3BB
or e-mail it to [email protected]
• Once we have received your application we will contact you within 10 working days to arrange a property inspection which will be carried out by our surveyor
• There are three possible outcomes to this inspection: 1. Approval – We arrange a move in date, book a sign up appointment where the tenancies are transferred
2. Conditional – We send you a letter to confi rm conditions which need to be met prior to exchange. Once you have completed these conditions, contact us and we will arrange a revisit with our surveyor where they will sign off the conditions
3. Refusal – We will write to you to confi rm the reason why the exchange has been refused.
• Should the person you are exchanging with be a tenant from another housing association we will contact their landlord to obtain a landlord reference
• On receipt of a satisfactory reference and confi rmation that any conditions have been met, we will arrange for all parties to meet at a local housing offi ce to sign the deeds of assignment thereby offi cially transferring the tenancies.
8 Mutual exchanges
Nottingham City Homes (NCH) check your details and registration
Applicationaccepted?
Approval
Yes No
Yes
No
Registration accepted
Start looking for matches
Match found
Apply to exchange by completing
mutual exchange application forms
Surveyor visit property within 10 days
of receipt of forms
Give NCH a call on:0115 915 7143
Mutual Exchange Officer will confirm reasons for
refusal of exchange
Mutual Exchange Officer will write to confirm any
conditions which need to be met prior to the exchange
Move home
Yes – conditional
Register on HomeSwapper and
enter details
Mutual Exchange Officer contact to: • agree sign up appointment • agree move in date • book gas and / or electric checks
Mutual exchange process
Have you met the conditions?Yes
No
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What else do I need to think about? • Breach of tenancy – You can only mutually exchange homes if you are a secure tenant. If you are not sure if you are a secure tenant, contact Nottingham City Homes on 0845 330 3131 • Declare outstanding rent – You will need to declare any rent arrears on your current home. You might not be able to mutually exchange until the arrears have been cleared • Property conditions – You should seek advice from your local housing patch manager if you have unauthorised alterations, for example, doors, kitchen fi ttings, electrical light fi ttings.
Why do I need a visit from Nottingham City Homes? We need to inspect each home for damage or unauthorised alterations before you can exchange.
How long does it take to do after I have found my new home? It should take about 42 days for a decision to be made. However, it could be shorter depending on the issues raised.
What happens if I have rent arrears? If you have any Notice Seeking Possession or court orders this could prevent you from mutually exchanging. However, you may be asked to clear the arrears so that the mutual exchange can continue.
Why do I need a gas / electric test?Each property will undergo a gas and electrical test to make sure that property is safe for a new tenant to move into. It is also a statutory obligation that gas checks are carried out on all NCH properties.
How do I get more information?For more information contact the Housing Options and HomeLink Team on 0115 746 9382, 0115 746 9141 or 0115 746 9349 or your local housing patch manager on telephone number on 0845 330 313. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]
How do I find local information? Use the following web addresses to fi nd out local information: • Local schools with links to OFSTED reports – www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk • Local doctors / dentist – www.nhs.uk • Nearest Post Offi ce – www.royalmail.com • Nearest bus/tram/train stop and journey planner – www.nctx.co.uk • Refuse collection – www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk • Environmental Services – www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk • Housing offi ce details – www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk • How you can get involved – www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk/get_involved • Tenant Academy – www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk/get_involved.
Your questions answered
10 Mutual exchanges
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If you are unable to read this publication, please contact your area housing office or call us on 0845 330 3131. We can arrange for an interpreter to explain it to you, or send you a spoken word version. We can also provide you with a magnifier to make this leaflet easier to read.
Phone: 0115 915 2222www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk
Registered in England and Wales number 5292636 June 2014
Si vous ne parvenez pas à lire ce bulletin d’information, contactez s’il vous plait votre service du logement local ou appelez-nous au 0845 330 3131. Nous mettrons à votre disposition un interprète qui se chargera de vous l’expliquer, ou vous l’envoyer en version parlée sur cassette audio ou CD. Et si aucune de ces options ve vous convient, alors nous pourons traduire le bulletin d’information dans la langue de votre choix. Nous pouvons aussi vous le fournir en grands caractères.
