Are you looking to downsize or move to a different area? A home swap, or Mutual Exchange, could be just for you! A home swap or ‘Mutual Exchange’ is when two social housing tenants agree to swap their homes with each other.

We’ve partnered with House Exchange to help people with their home swaps. House Exchange is free to join and can help you swap your home with people across the country from other house associations.

One recent home swap success involved a couple, Lee and Marie Hadfield, who received support with their home swap from our Neighbourhood Officer Jay.

New lease of life

“We were looking to downsize from a large 3-bedroom home to a more manageable 2-bedroom. With Marie recently having cancer, the downsizing has given us a new lease of life.

“After we found the home we wanted on House Exchange, the process was plain sailing from Leeds Federated’s side of things.  Neighbourhood Officer Jay helped us all the way. He gave us advice and was brilliant from start to finish. He was always at the end of the phone or just an email away. It was great to deal with someone who went the extra mile for us.

“We moved from one side of Leeds to the other. It was a big change for us and a bit daunting as we had lived in our neighbourhood for 36 years.

“When we first moved into our new home, there were a couple of minor repairs that needed doing. Leeds Federated dealt with these promptly, and we were really pleased about that.

“We really enjoy where we live now. The area is great, the neighbours are very friendly, and the home is a perfect size for us!”

A prompt process

When Jay worked with the customers to help secure their new homes, he knew he had to act swiftly.

“After several unsuccessful attempts at securing a mutual exchange, one of our Leeds Federated customers was beginning to lose hope. Each previous opportunity had fallen through for different reasons, despite the family’s genuine need to move.

“When a suitable home finally became available through an external housing association, I recognised how important it was to act swiftly.

“I worked closely with both parties, guiding them through the process and maintaining regular, clear communication to make sure that everyone remained fully informed at every stage.

“By proactively addressing queries, anticipating issues, and keeping the process moving, the exchange progressed smoothly and was completed well within the typical 42‑day timeframe.

“Both the new customers and the outgoing customer expressed their appreciation for the support they received. Their feedback highlighted the professionalism and commitment shown throughout the exchange, which contributed to a positive and seamless outcome for everyone involved.”

How to swap your home

If you’re interested in swapping your home, the first step is to register on the House Exchange website and add a listing for your home – this is free. We approve your listing, and then once you’ve found someone to swap with, you can get in touch with us to help you through the rest of the process.

More information about the home swap or mutual exchange process is available on the  House Exchange website. You can also find out more information on our Exchange your Home page.