We recognise that your needs can change and that you may wish to move home.

If you are looking to move but want to remain a housing association tenant then this section explains how to do that either by swapping with another tenant - known as a mutual exchange - or by requesting a transfer.

Mutual exchange 

A mutual exchange is where two tenants agree to swap homes. This is the fastest and easiest way to move.

You have the right to exchange your home with another tenant of Progress Housing Group, another housing association or a local council, although there are some exceptions.

Progress Housing Association will refund the costs for any tenants who utilise the House Exchange or HomeSwapper websites. 

You can arrange an exchange with a tenant yourself but it is not always easy finding someone to swap with.

If you need help finding an exchange then please contact us. We can also advise where we might have other properties that suit your needs.

You can also find a mutual exchange via the following websites:

Select Move - exchanges in South Ribble, Chorley and Preston

MyHomeChoice – exchanges in Fylde, Blackpool and Wyre

House Exchange and HomeSwapper – exchanges nationwide

Before an exchange goes ahead you must obtain written permission from your current landlord and the landlord of the house you wish to swap with.

We will normally allow you to swap but will not give permission if:

  • One of the homes is too small for the family’s needs and the swap would lead to that family being overcrowded
  • One of the homes is too large for the family wanting to move there and is more suited to a larger family who may be waiting for this size of property
  • One of the houses has been adapted to be used by an elderly or disabled tenant and no one in the new family needs the adaptations
  • We are taking legal action to gain possession of the house of the tenant requesting an exchange.
  • There must be no rent arrears
  • Your house and garden must be in a good condition
  • You must not have made changes or improvements to your home without obtaining our written permission. If you have done this you may be asked to return the house to its original state.

Transfer 

You may want to request a transfer to another property for a number of reasons but we prioritise those people whose needs we recognise as being urgent.

It is difficult to give an idea of how long it will take to move you because it depends on the availability in the area you are hoping to move to and the priority we give to your situation. We advise considering mutual exchanges where possible because they can be a quicker way to move. 

How do I transfer?

To transfer you should contact us to find out which housing association or council offers properties in the area you wish to transfer to.

You should give as much information about your current situation and why you want to move as possible so that your circumstances can be fully assessed and your request can be prioritised accordingly.

We have a number of categories to prioritise those on the transfer waiting list:

  • Tenants who are overcrowded in their present home
  • Tenants whose present home is too large for them
  • Tenants needing a different type of accommodation, for example a ground floor flat because of ill health
  • Tenants experiencing threats of violence or harassment from their neighbours
  • People living in shared or special needs accommodation, who would benefit from having self-contained accommodation.

Before a transfer can go ahead:

  • There must be no rent arrears
  • Your house and garden must be in a good condition
  • You must not have made changes or improvements to your home without obtaining our written permission. If you have done this you may be asked to return the house to its original state.

 If you have any further questions about mutual exchanges or transfers then please contact us.