For tenants affected by the bedroom tax, or who simply need fewer bedrooms, we can offer a cash incentive of £1,000 if you downsize by mutually exchanging with someone who has the right sized home for you and who also lives in a Red Kite home.
There must be no rent arrears – if there are, the £1,000 incentive will be paid towards them so that the exchange can happen.
This incentive scheme is open to any Red Kite tenant exchanging with another Red Kite tenant – whether you are affected by the bedroom tax or not, downsizing can help reduce rent payments and energy bills, along with many other benefits.
If you've already swapped into your current home, then you need to have been living there for a minimum of six months before you can apply for another exchange.
We want the process of moving home to be as simple as possible for you, so we recommend that you follow these steps to make sure that you have done everything you can before you move:
- Pay off any outstanding arrears and other debts owed – mutual exchanges are unlikely to happen if you owe rent or other debts like court costs or recharges, which may affect whether we – or another landlord – will agree to the swap or not
- Make sure your home is clean and tidy for viewings by other tenants who may want to exchange with you, with certain repairs carried out. We expect you to give your home to a new tenant in a good condition which shows that you have looked after it, in line with our Home Return Standard. If you don't, we'll have to recharge you for any repair or removal work that we need to carry out
- Do not accept any payment to mutually exchange your home. This is fraud, and we – or another landlord – will take legal action to gain possession of the property
- You must not move out of your home until all landlords have agreed to the exchange and the legal documents have been signed. If you do so, you'll be in breach of your tenancy and could lose your home.
How does mutual exchange work?
There are lots of places online, such as Facebook groups and forums, where you can offer your home and look for someone else who wants to exchange. One such service is HomeSwapper - if you'd like to use this to find someone to exchange with, we will pay for your registration (unless you're on a starter tenancy, in rent arrears, or subject to court action for repossession).
If you want to mutually exchange, or if you'd like to register on HomeSwapper, contact our Relationships Team on 01494 476100. One of our Relationship Advisers will talk you through the process.
If you've found someone to exchange with, you'll each need to complete a mutual exchange application form. Once you've both completed your form, send them to us at contact@redkitehousing.org.uk.