5. Want to move or swap homes
Giving notice on your tenancy
If you wish to end your council tenancy and move out, you must let us know in writing at least four weeks before you intend to leave your home.
This four-week notice period must end on a Monday, and you should return your keys to the Civic Centre by 10am on that Monday or leave them in the key safe that we have installed at your home. If you do not do this, we will keep the tenancy running, which will incur additional rent.
If you hand your keys in later than 10am on the Monday, you will be charged one more week’s rent.
If you are joint tenants, one of you can end the tenancy for all by giving us four weeks’ written notice. This ends the tenancy for everyone.
You must allow us to inspect your home before you leave so we can tell you what work needs to be done. We will also tell you how much rent you need to pay to clear your account before you leave.
You must make sure that the home and property, outbuildings and any fixtures and fittings, are clean, tidy and in good condition. You do not have to pay for any damage caused by normal wear and tear, but you will have to pay to repair or replace any items damaged deliberately or through neglect. We recommend that you repair or replace the items yourself before you leave.
Mutual exchange
A mutual exchange by assignment is when you swap your home with someone else who also lives in a council or housing association home. This does not have to be in Exeter, it can be anywhere in the country.
You can use HomeSwapper to find and communicate with other people looking to exchange homes. It is a national database of tenants who wish to exchange their home with another social tenant.
If you find someone with whom you wish to swap homes, please contact us. If there are a mix of flexible and secure tenants involved in the process, a mutual exchange may not be the best solution.
We have six weeks to make a decision. You must get our permission in writing first before making any arrangements. The other tenant must also obtain their landlord’s written permission before any swap can go ahead.
We would only refuse in certain circumstances, such as:
- If one of the homes would be overcrowded.
- If one of the homes would be substantially too large for the new tenants. We define ‘substantially too large’ as having one extra bedroom more than requirements (unless an even greater level of under-occupation exists before the proposed swap).
- If legal action to gain possession of the home is being taken against any of the tenants involved.
- If the home was adapted or designated for elderly or disabled people (usually with adaptations worth £1,000 or over) and the proposed incoming tenants did not need those services.
Although we will consider all applications to mutually exchange homes from those who have housing-related debt (rent, repair recharges etc.), we will not agree to any move taking place while there are any outstanding housing-related debts owed to us. The same rule would apply to tenants of other landlords.
Once you have moved home by way of a mutual exchange you must accept your new home in the condition you find it. If it is an Exeter City Council property, we will carry out a safety check and routine repairs, but any damage caused deliberately or through neglect becomes the responsibility of the person moving into our accommodation.
If you do exchange homes without our written agreement, we will take legal action to evict you. You will be unable to return to your original home and will not be offered alternative accommodation.
Downsizing
If you leave a large council home for a smaller home (for example, if you move from a four-bedroom to a two-bedroom house) you may qualify for assistance when moving. Tenants may be eligible, depending on their circumstances, for help towards moving costs, up to a maximum of £500.
We are keen to let large homes to families in housing need and will help our own tenants move into smaller, more appropriate housing in order to do this.
If you would like further information about downsizing, please contact us on 01392 265744 or email lettingsandhomeownership@exeter.gov.uk.
If you home has had significant adaptations that you no longer require, you may wish to free up your property for someone who needs it. If you do this, you may be eligible for a higher banding (Band B) on Devon Home Choice.
Death of a tenant
If you pass away while you are a tenant and you have no successor, a three-week rent-free period will be given from the Monday following the date of death to allow the home and property to be emptied. This is if we are informed within 48 hours of your death.
Keys must be returned on a Monday (or earlier), and you should return your keys to the Civic Centre by 10am on that Monday or leave them in the key safe that we have installed at your home. If the keys have not been returned after three weeks, rent will have to be charged to your estate. If we are not informed within 48 hours of your death, then no rent-free weeks will be granted.
If your home is not empty of all people and belongings, then your estate may incur other fees and charges.
To report the death of a tenant please contact us on 01392 265744 or email lettingsandhomeownership@exeter.gov.uk.
If you believe you may have a right to succeed the tenancy following the death of a tenant, please contact us to discuss. We have more information about succession online and in our Tenant Handbook.