Swap your home with another tenant

If your exchange is refused

If we refuse your request, you can appeal.

When appealing:

  • use your landlord’s complaints procedure
  • let us know within 21 days if you want to appeal
  • it may help to give us more information

If you are still unhappy after the appeal, you can take your case to the Sheriff Court

Reasons we may refuse your request

By law, we can refuse your request if:

  • you have received an eviction notice
  • your home was provided because of your job
  • your home is adapted and no one in the new household needs the adaptations
  • the exchange would cause overcrowding
  • the other home is too big or too small for your household

We may allow an exchange to a home with one bedroom more or less than you need if there are exceptional circumstances.

We may also refuse your request if:

  • you owe rent or other tenancy-related debts
  • your home does not meet our Empty Homes Standard
  • you have not lived in your home for 12 months (unless there are exceptional reasons)
  • you have not been using the property as your main home
  • the other landlord does not agree to the exchange
  • you have refused to take part in inspections or meetings, or refused to do required work
  • you do not have written consent from a joint tenant or partner (if required)
  • it is less than 6 weeks since you signed your tenancy agreement

Page last modified: 30 January 2026