Mutual Exchange Policy Review

Winchester City Council are reviewing the Mutual Exchange policy that allows council tenants to complete a mutual exchange to a property with one bedroom more than their assessed bedroom need. We wanted to get tenant’s views on the current policy and the proposed change. 

The questions asked were split into different categories;

• The Policy, how you as tenants feel about the current policy and the possible change.
• Your Mutual Exchange experience, were you kept up-to-date and how you felt about the process.
• The HomeSwapper service, are you aware of the service, have you used it, did you find it useful?

We had 357 completed responses representing a wide selection of all tenants.                

Age breakdown of respondents.

Below is a summary of some of the responses.

The Policy

It is clear from the questions relating to the policy that tenants opinion is divided evenly.

39% either agree or strongly agree to the proposed policy change, whereas 40% either disagree or strongly disagree.

There were 142 responses in the free text box. Again, these responses were very mixed. A lot of the comments said that it depends on individual circumstances, for example; family taking on caring responsibilities for other family members, someone with a disability needing the room for equipment, medical supplies or a carer to stay, a family planning for their future need for more children. While the opposing view made it clear that the shortage of social housing should be a factor and that there are families who need the extra bedroom immediately.

Your Mutual Exchange Experience

The majority of tenants who have completed a mutual exchange felt they were kept up to date during the process. But the majority would have found it useful to be able to track the progress online. This is not currently something that is available.

Some of the comments that were given in the free text box suggest that the process took longer than anticipated. Comments also suggested that the rights of the incoming tenant when alterations have been made to the property by the previous tenant needs to be made much clearer.

HomeSwapper Service

While 66% of respondents did not find their exchange partner through the HomeSwapper service, when it is used 46% of people were either satisfied or highly satisfied with the service compared with 26% dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

As stated above there has not been a clear view one way or another to the questions regarding the policy and potential change. The current policy is still being reviewed and the results of this consultation will be taken to the Housing Cabinet for further discussion.

The possibility of being able to track your mutual exchange online throughout the process is being looked into.  

Further consultation will take place in the New Year to discuss process mapping. This will all go towards making the whole process smoother and clearer for tenants.  

A meeting has been planned with a representative from the HomeSwapper Service to discuss the results from this consultation.

When analysing the responses, if a tenant has made a comment that requires further investigation, they are being contacted via the email address supplied in the survey.