Yes - a mutual exchange is completely free
Yes — a mutual exchange itself is completely free. Your landlord cannot charge you for processing the application, and there is no government fee, no admin charge, and no legal requirement to pay anyone to arrange the swap. This is your right as a social housing tenant, not a paid service.
Under the Housing Act 1985 (for secure council tenants) and the Localism Act 2011 (for assured housing association tenants), you have the right to apply for a mutual exchange at no cost. Your landlord processes the application as part of their standard duties.
The bottom line
The swap process itself is free. The costs you will face are practical ones — moving your belongings, paying rent in advance at your new home, and potentially bringing a property up to standard. These are the same costs you would face with any house move, and they are typically far lower than the costs of moving in the private rental sector.
What is completely free
Several parts of the home swap process cost absolutely nothing:
The mutual exchange application
Your landlord processes your swap application at no cost. They have 42 days to respond, and they cannot charge an admin fee.
Finding a swap partner on MutualExchange.uk
Listing your property, searching for matches, and browsing other listings is free on our platform. You do not need to pay to find someone to swap with.
The property inspection
Your landlord (or the other tenant's landlord) may inspect both properties as part of the approval process. This inspection is free — it is a standard part of the mutual exchange procedure.
Signing the new tenancy agreement
When the swap is approved, you sign a new tenancy agreement with your new landlord. There is no solicitor, no conveyancing, and no legal fees — unlike buying a property or renting privately.
References and background checks
Landlords carry out references and checks as part of the approval process. These are done at no cost to you.
What might cost money
While the swap process itself is free, there are practical costs that come with any house move. Here is a realistic breakdown:
Rent in advance (1 to 4 weeks)
Most landlords require you to pay rent in advance at your new property before the swap completes. This is typically 1 to 4 weeks' rent, depending on the landlord's policy. Some landlords will transfer your existing credit from your old tenancy, but many will not — especially if you are moving between different landlords.
Typical cost: £70 to £500, depending on the rent level and how many weeks are required.
Moving costs
You will need to physically move your belongings to your new home. Your options range from free to several hundred pounds:
- DIY with friends and family: Free (or the cost of a thank-you meal)
- Van hire: £40 to £100 for a day, depending on van size and distance
- Professional removals: £200 to £600+ for a local move, more for longer distances
Tip: If you are swapping with someone nearby, you could coordinate move dates and share a removal van to cut costs.
Property condition and repairs
In a mutual exchange, you take the property as seen. Unlike a standard council allocation, the landlord is not required to redecorate or bring the property up to a particular standard before you move in. This means:
- You may need to decorate or paint rooms
- Carpets and flooring may need replacing
- The garden may need work
- Minor repairs that are tenant responsibility will be yours to handle
Typical cost: £0 to £500+ depending on condition. Always visit the property before agreeing to swap so there are no surprises.
Utilities and services
You will need to set up gas, electricity, water, broadband, and council tax at your new address. There is usually no cost to switch — but you may lose introductory deals on broadband or energy if you are mid-contract. Take meter readings on move day and notify all providers promptly to avoid being charged for someone else's usage.
Mail redirection
Royal Mail's postal redirection service costs from £35 for 3 months. This is optional but recommended to catch any mail sent to your old address.
MutualExchange.uk: free vs premium
Our platform is designed so that you can find and arrange a swap without paying us a penny. Here is what you get for free, and what our optional premium membership adds:
Free (always)
- ✓ List your property with photos
- ✓ Search all listings nationwide
- ✓ Use all search filters and radius search
- ✓ View full listing details and photos
- ✓ Contact other tenants via email relay
- ✓ Save 1 search with alerts
- ✓ Shortlist up to 5 properties
- ✓ Join chain swaps
Premium (£1.99/month)
- ★ Direct inbox messaging
- ★ Upload up to 15 photos
- ★ Unlimited saved searches
- ★ Unlimited shortlisted properties
- ★ Create chain swaps
- ★ Swap progress tracker
- ★ Read receipts on messages
- ★ Priority listing in search
During our early access period, premium features are available free to all users. Sign up now to lock in free access.
How swap costs compare with private renting
One of the biggest advantages of a mutual exchange is how affordable it is compared to moving in the private rental market. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Cost | Mutual Exchange | Private Renting |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | £0 | £500 - £2,000+ |
| Agency/admin fees | £0 | £0 - £300 (referencing) |
| Rent in advance | 1 - 4 weeks | 1 - 2 months |
| Ongoing rent | Social rent (much lower) | Market rate |
| Tenancy security | Secure/assured tenancy | Shorter fixed terms |
| Legal costs | £0 | £0 - £200+ |
A typical private rented move in England costs £1,500 to £3,500 upfront (deposit, rent in advance, referencing). A mutual exchange typically costs £100 to £800 all-in, including moving costs. You also keep your secure tenancy and below-market rent — something that is impossible to get back once you leave social housing.
Hidden costs to watch out for
Higher rent at the new property
Social rents vary by property size, location, and landlord. Your new home may have a higher weekly rent than your current one. Check the rent level before agreeing to swap — it is not always the same.
Higher council tax band
Moving to a larger property or a different area may put you in a higher council tax band. Check the band on the Valuation Office Agency website before you commit.
Clearing rent arrears before approval
If you have any outstanding rent, your landlord can refuse the swap until it is paid. This is a legitimate ground for refusal under Schedule 3 of the Housing Act 1985. Budget for clearing any debt before you apply.
Making good on your current property
Your landlord may require you to reverse unauthorised alterations or repair damage before approving the swap. Factor this into your costs and timeline.
Energy costs at the new property
A larger property or one with poor insulation may cost significantly more to heat. Check the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating before agreeing — you can look this up free on the government's EPC register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The mutual exchange application is completely free. Your landlord cannot charge you a fee for processing the swap. The costs you face are practical ones like moving your belongings and paying rent in advance at your new home — not fees for the swap itself.
No. Unlike private renting, there is no tenancy deposit when you do a mutual exchange. You are simply transferring from one social tenancy to another. You may need to pay rent in advance (typically 1 to 4 weeks), but there is no deposit.
No. Processing a mutual exchange application is part of your landlord's standard duties. They cannot charge you an administration fee, processing fee, or any other charge for handling the paperwork.
Listing your property, searching for matches, and contacting other tenants via email relay is completely free. Our optional premium membership at £1.99 per month adds features like direct messaging, more photos, and unlimited saved searches — but you can find and arrange a swap without paying us anything.
The swap application itself is free. To keep moving costs low: ask friends and family to help with the move, coordinate with your swap partner to share transport, visit the property beforehand to understand what work it needs, and set up utility accounts early to avoid overlap charges.
No. A mutual exchange does not require a solicitor, conveyancer, or any legal professional. Your landlord handles the paperwork, and you sign a new tenancy agreement directly. This is one of the biggest cost savings compared to buying or renting privately.
Possibly. Social rents vary by property, so your new home may have a higher or lower rent than your current one. Always check the rent level of the property you are swapping to before you agree. Your new landlord will confirm the rent when you sign the tenancy agreement.
If the swap is not approved, you will not owe anything for the application. However, if you have already hired a removal company or bought packing materials, you may lose those costs. We recommend not booking removals until your landlord has given written consent.
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