Mutual exchange
We call swapping your home with another tenant a ‘mutual exchange’. As one of our tenants, you can swap your home with another tenant in Dacorum or with a tenant in another area of the United Kingdom.
Changes due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
In line with Government recommendations, we have introduced new measures to help protect staff and tenants when conducting property inspections.
Property inspections
Any applicants applying for a mutual exchange must comply with the new measures we have put in place. These are:
- A call will be made by the Tenancy Officer to check whether anyone in the household is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), or has been in contact with anyone displaying symptoms, before a visit/inspection can take place.
- When an appointment has been confirmed, the Property Surveyor and Tenancy Officer will come to your property and you must prepare the property for this inspection by doing the following:
- Opening all doors and windows
- Opening all cupboards, including built-in cupboards
- Furniture must be pulled away from the wall to enable the surveyor to check for any issues
- The property must be tidy - no clothing or clutter on the floors
- Proof of identity asked for (in an earlier call) must be placed open and readable on a table or kitchen counter to enable the officer to check/photograph
- The officers will not touch or move any items in your home, so access must be available for them to carry out a full inspection of the property.
In addition, the applicant/s and household members at the property must:
- Remain downstairs whilst the upstairs area is being inspected
- Go upstairs whilst the downstairs and garden areas are being inspected, or wait outside the entire time at a social distance
- In the case of flats and bungalows, all occupants must wait outside during the inspection and maintain social distancing
If, on arrival, it is found that these stipulations have not been met the visit will be ended immediately and the tenant will be asked to withdraw their application.
If tenants wishing to apply for mutual exchange do not agree to follow our new safety measures for visiting, they should not apply until restrictions are relaxed.
It is advisable to speak to your Tenancy Officer before putting in your mutual exchange application so they can discuss the new measures with you in more detail.
If you wish to exchange with a tenant from another local council or housing association, you should contact them to ask if they are currently allowing mutual exchanges.
Remember, when inviting prospective swappers to view your home, you must keep to the social-distancing rules, or use video viewings. Once a move has been approved, you must continue to stick to social-distancing rules throughout the removal process.
Advertise and search for a home
You can advertise your council home and search for another tenant to exchange your home with on the:
House Exchange website
Many social landlords across England use this system and it gives you access to thousands of properties across the country. House Exchange is a database of information given by tenants that want to move.
Bedroom standards
If you have two or more children living at home, please read our 
Bedroom standards information (PDF 508KB).
Apply for an exchange
To apply for a mutual exchange, please download and complete our 
Mutual Exchange application form (PDF 500KB) and either email to housing@dacorum.gov.uk or return by post to Dacorum Borough Council, The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1DN.
