Thinking About a Move? Mutual Exchange Could Be the Answer

Finding a home that better suits your needs doesn't always mean joining a transfer list or waiting for a new property to become available. A mutual exchange could help you move more quickly by swapping homes with another social housing tenant. LHP actively supports mutual exchanges and provides access to HomeSwapper, one of the UK's leading home exchange services.

Whether you need more space for a growing family, want to downsize, move closer to work, schools or family members, or simply need a change of location, a mutual exchange may be worth considering.

What is a Mutual Exchange?

A mutual exchange is when two or more social housing tenants agree to swap homes with each other. Rather than applying for a vacant property, tenants exchange their existing homes, subject to landlord approval. LHP tenants with secure or assured tenancies may be eligible to take part in a mutual exchange, with permission from all landlords involved.

Mutual exchanges can take place between tenants of different housing associations and councils across the country, allowing greater flexibility when looking for a move.

What Are the Benefits?

There are many advantages to choosing a mutual exchange:

Move More Quickly

A mutual exchange can often be completed faster than waiting for a transfer or bidding through a housing register.

More Choice

You can search for homes in different locations, both locally and nationally, helping you find a property that better suits your needs.

Stay Within Social Housing

A mutual exchange allows you to remain within social housing while moving to a different property.

Better Use of Homes

Exchanges help ensure larger homes become available for growing families while supporting those who wish to downsize.

Flexible Options

You can search for swaps across Immingham, North East Lincolnshire and beyond.

How Do I Find Someone to Exchange With?

LHP tenants have free access to HomeSwapper, the UK's leading mutual exchange service, where you can advertise your property and search for potential swaps across the country. HomeSwapper also suggests suitable matches and allows you to message other tenants directly.

You can register and start searching here:

👉 HomeSwapper: https://www.homeswapper.co.uk/

For more information about mutual exchanges and eligibility, visit:

👉 LHP Mutual Exchange Page: https://www.lincolnshirehp.com/find-a-home/change-your-home/mutual-exchange/

How Do I Apply?

Once you've found a tenant interested in swapping, the process is straightforward:

Step 1: Submit an Application

All parties involved must complete a mutual exchange application and seek permission from their landlord.

Step 2: Property Inspections

Landlords will inspect the homes involved and review tenancy records.

Step 3: Checks Are Completed

This may include:

• Rent account checks
• Property condition checks
• Tenancy verification
• Occupancy assessments

Step 4: Approval and Sign-Up

If approved, all parties sign the relevant paperwork and agree a moving date.

Step 5: Move Day

Once agreements are completed, you can move into your new home.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Timescales can vary depending on the number of landlords involved and whether there are any issues to resolve. In many cases, mutual exchanges can be completed in around 4 to 8 weeks, although more complex exchanges may take longer.

You can help avoid delays by:

• Completing forms promptly
• Responding quickly to requests for information
• Ensuring your rent account is up to date
• Resolving any outstanding tenancy issues

Things to Consider Before Exchanging

Before committing to a swap:

• Visit the property and area several times.
• Check the home meets your household's needs.
• Consider travel routes to work, schools and services.
• Make sure you understand the tenancy you will be taking on.
• Read all paperwork carefully before signing.

Remember, once the exchange is completed, you accept the property as seen.

Need More Information?

If you're considering a move, mutual exchange could be a quick and effective way to find a home that better suits your needs.

Find out more by visiting the LHP Mutual Exchange page:

🔗 https://www.lincolnshirehp.com/find-a-home/change-your-home/mutual-exchange/

Or start your search today with HomeSwapper:

🔗 https://www.homeswapper.co.uk/

You could be one step closer to finding the right home for you and your family.

The Immingham & Habrough Neighbourhood Board has been established as part of the Government’s Pride in Place programme to provide strong, locally rooted leadership for shaping the future of the area. As a place‑making, citizen‑led board, it brings together residents, community organisations, businesses, and local partners to ensure that local voices are at the heart of decision‑making. The Board exists to champion a shared vision for Immingham and Habrough, guiding investment priorities and overseeing long‑term regeneration in a way that reflects local aspirations, strengthens pride and identity, and delivers meaningful, inclusive change for the community.

Have your say

You can help shape the future of Immingham & Habrough by taking part in a consultation. The Pride in Place programme is bringing investment into our communities over the next ten years. No decisions have been made and are listening to as many people as possible to make sure that every decision made is an informed one.

People can drop in at any of the following sessions:

Join us for our Neighbourhood action plan - 20 August 2026 12:00-13:30 - Pelham Road, Community Room, Immingham.

• The Neighbourhood Action Plan (NAP) meetings are designed to bring together key stakeholders, community leaders, and residents to address local issues, discuss upcoming events, and collaborate on neighbourhood improvements.

Families across North East Lincolnshire will have the chance to pick up free school clothes next month as pre-loved uniform events return ahead of the new academic year.

The initiative aims to ease the financial pressure of buying school uniforms while giving good-quality clothing a second life. Since launching, the events have helped thousands of local families prepare for the school year without the added expense.

This year’s events will once again be held in Cleethorpes, Immingham and Grimsby, with organisers encouraging parents and carers to come along and make use of the free uniforms, toiletries and stationery on offer.

The events will take place at:

• Cleethorpes Memorial Hall – 1PM-3PM on 15 August
• Immingham Civic Centre – 2PM-4PM on 17 August
• Grimsby Central Hall – 1PM-3PM on 24 August

Organisers are also appealing for volunteers to help with the events. Anyone interested in lending a hand is encouraged to get in touch through The School Uniform Network – NEL Facebook page.

August 1 @ 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm. More info here: Discover North East Lincolnshire | iFest 2026 - Discover North East Lincolnshire

Parents and carers play a crucial role in helping young people stay safe. The challenges facing young people are increasing and becoming more complex. Similarly, knowing how best to support and guide children through changing times can be scary and overwhelming.

For this reason, the Humber Violence Prevention Partnership have worked with eski to develop a new 'Not In Our Community' online resource hub. The hub is designed to provide a wealth of information to support parents and carers with advice across a wide range of topics. We hope that the resources give you the confidence to have open conversations about difficult subjects to help guide young people to make positive choices.

The hub covers key topics linked to crime prevention and safety, including violence and weapons, relationships, anti-social behaviour and more. These resources can help you spot early warning signs, understand the pressures young people face and feel confident offering guidance when they need it most.

You’ll find high‑quality, free materials such as videos, digital booklets and activity directories for young people – all are easy to use at home and are suitable for a wide range of ages.

Not In Our Community is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Humberside.

Jonathan Evison, Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the Humber VPP, said: "Preventing harm starts with awareness, understanding and early conversations.

"We want every parent, carer and professional to have easy access to high-quality information that supports young people's safety.

"This resource hub is an important step in making that support simple, clear and accessible for everyone."

On Friday 31 July, we’ll be joining our partners at North East Lincolnshire Council for their “Love Parks” event, an exciting community fun day held at Homestead Park in Immingham!

Aimed at bringing the community together and encouraging families to make use of the local park, the day is designed to be fun, welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

There will be a range of activities on offer throughout the day, including a bouncy castle, arts and crafts sessions and more. LHP will also have its own dedicated stall where we’re able to provide customers with useful information about our services in the local area.

The arts and crafts activities will be themed around recycling and sustainability. Children will be encouraged to get creative using recycled materials, helping to spark imagination whilst also raising awareness of reuse and environmental responsibility.

This is a great opportunity for customers and families to come together, get involved and enjoy their local park.

Come along and join us for family fun at the Immingham Family Hub summer fun day on Wednesday 26tth August at the Family Hub on Margaret Street.

Yesterday we had our monthly neighbourhood walkabout across Immingham alongside colleagues including Elaine Norton from One Voice and John from Andy’s Man Club and newly elected Councillor, Blake Russell. It was a really positive opportunity to get out on the ground together, look at the area first-hand, and highlight some of the key issues affecting our community.

During the walkabout, we identified a number of concerns around pathways, green spaces, and areas that could benefit from improvement and ongoing attention. We know these are the kinds of things that really matter to residents day-to-day, so it was important to see them for ourselves and have those conversations as a group.

Later on, we were joined by Cllr David Christie from Immingham Town Council for the our Neighbourhood Action Plan meeting, along with other colleagues. We had some really productive discussions around key topics such as antisocial behaviour, housing application issues, and how we can better connect younger people with older members of the community.

If we want to build safer, stronger and more connected neighbourhoods, it’s not just about improving our physical environment — it’s about investing in people and relationships too.

Thanks to everyone who took part yesterday.