Transfers and Mutual Exchanges
Transfers
If you are a Moray Council tenant and want to move to another Moray Council house, you can apply for a transfer of housing. You will need to register and apply using our online housing application.
Reasons why you might want to apply for a transfer include:include:
• Your home is too big, for example because family members have left. You may also be eligible for our downsizing incentive scheme.
• Your home is too small, for example if others have joined your household.
• Your home is no longer suitable for your needs, for example if you have a health issue and moving to different house will help stabilise the issue or help you to live more independently. You will also need to fill in a Housing Functional Assessment Form. You can read more on our Housing Functional Assessment page.
• You want to move to a different area, for example for work or family reasons or to get or give care and support.
After you apply, we will assess your application in line with our Allocations Policy and we will place you on our housing transfer list.
While you are on the list waiting for an offer, we will regularly inspect your home to make sure that you are keeping to the conditions in your tenancy and that your home is clean, in good decorative order and any repairs are carried out. We will also come out and inspect your current property before we offer you another property. Please note, inspection of your home does not automatically mean that you will get an offer of housing. If your home doesn’t meet with our standards or you are not keeping to the conditions of your tenancy agreement, you may be suspended from getting an offer of housing.
If you refuse two reasonable offers of accommodation within a period of one year, we will not make any others of accommodation to you for six months from the date of your last offer. If you do accept a new property, you will need to fill in a Tenancy Termination Form and sign a new tenancy agreement. You can read sample tenancy agreements on our housing forms page.
Mutual exchange
A mutual exchange is when two or more tenants permanently swap their homes. This can be a good option if you want to move to a more suitable house or to a different location.
You can exchange with another Moray Council tenant, a housing association tenant, or a tenant of another council. You don’t have to swap between the same types of property and you can exchange with a tenant outwith Moray. All landlords involved must agree to the exchange before it can go ahead.
A mutual exchange is often the quickest way to move to a home that better meets your needs. It can be a lot quicker than other rehousing methods such as applying for a transfer. This is because:
• There are not enough homes to meet demand, and there is significant pressure on some property types, sizes and locations
• Your housing circumstances may mean that it could take a long time before we can offer you housing.
• You want to live in an area where we have little or no suitable available housing.
If you want to exchange your home with another tenant, you will need to:
• Find another tenant and agree to a mutual exchange in principle.
• Ask for our written permission to exchange your property. You will need to fill in a Mutual Exchange application form.
After you apply, we will carry out certain checks and inspect your home. We will write and tell you about our decision within one month of receiving your application.
If your application is approved, we will tell you what you must do before you move home. For example, you will need to make sure that you have paid any money that you owe us and that we have carried out a gas safety check within the last 12 months. When you exchange and move into your new property, you will need to sign a new tenancy agreement.
If you need more information, please contact your Area Housing Officer.