Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) which recommends the approval and adoption of a new Mutual Exchange Policy.

Members considered the report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) which recommended the approval and adoption of the new Mutual and Exchange Policy set out in Appendix A.

There was currently no Mutual Exchange Policy in place. Prior to the transformation of the Housing Operations service, a draft mutual exchange procedure was in place from 2014, later updated in August 2017.

Section 92 of the Housing Act 1985 provided a legal right for two or more social housing tenants to exchange properties where they occupied permanent, self-contained accommodation and where the consent of the landlords was given.

The new policy sets out how the Council would process exchange applications in a fair and consistent way and in accordance with legislation.

The policy clearly sets out tenant’s obligations and responsibilities also ensuring that they understood the implications of mutual exchange.

The following points were raised and discussed:

·         Members asked if any two properties being exchanged, had to be like for like? Officers explained that they did not have to be like for like and as laid out in the policy, the Council would expect people who were mutually exchanging, would have the right sized property for their need. Therefore, it could help with the Council’s stock if people were downsizing.

·         Members asked what systems were in place to stop people abusing the mutual exchange system. Officers explained that there was a robust application process in place and the Council conducted visits to ensure that people who were supposed to be living in households, actually were. There was also checks on identification and tenants were interviewed and asked if they had been pressured into exchanging. It was written into the policy that if the Council became aware that there had been any bribes, it would be looked upon very seriously and legal action may be taken.

·         Members asked whether tenants could still use the House Swap Portal, an online system, if they did not have access to the internet. Officers said that tenants could contact their Neighbourhood Officer who would assist them with that process.

·         All tenants would have the right to repairs. If the Council was responsible for repairing a property, whether or not there has been a mutual exchange, the Council would still be repairing under those obligations. The property to be exchanged would be ‘as seen’ but if the property was left in an unacceptable condition, the Council would seek to remedy it and then look at charging the outgoing tenant.

·         Members were pleased to see that under the new policy, tenants were encouraged to attend with the surveyor.

·         Members enquired about the property inspections and were informed that the surveyor would do a visual inspection. They would be able to detect if fixtures and fittings should not be there and if there were alterations to the property. The Councils Neighbourhood Officers would also attend alongside the surveyors. The incoming tenant and all parties would receive a copy of the surveyors report.

RESOLVED:

(Unanimous)

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That the adoption of the new Mutual Exchange Policy (as set out at Appendix A) is recommended to Cabinet.