Decision details

Issue

Current Policy

Officer Recommendation

Tenant Proposal

1

Under-occupation

There is no under-occupation permitted from an exchange

That under-occupation is permitted, but this is limited to one bedroom.

Mutual Exchanges should be permitted where the under-occupancy rate is not worsened in SCDC properties overall (including like for like swaps)

2

Overcrowding

No overcrowding is permitted.

That overcrowding is only permitted in very specific cases linked to the lack of larger accommodation (i.e. where a tenant has a 4 bedroom requirement and wishes to swap to a 3 bedroom property where that property has an additional room that can be used as a bedroom)

Overcrowding by 1

bedroom should be permitted across all property sizes

3

Staffing

Mutual exchanges are dealt with by generic housing officers (note: this is practice not policy)

Mutual exchanges are dealt with by generic housing officers (but the situation is monitored)

That an additional officer is appointed for mutual exchanges (full time or part time)

4

Incentives to downsize

Incentives are offered to transfer tenants who are in receipt of housing benefit and are subject to the ‘bedroom tax’.

Incentives are offered to all people who downsize through mutual exchange.

This will be linked to the number of bedrooms freed up as an incentive to downsize fully.

Agreed with Officer Recommendation.  Any incentive should also cover removal costs.

5

Mutual Exchange Service

Applicants have access to mutual exchange service (Exchange Locata) free of charge to find suitable matches

Subscription to additional mutual exchange service (HomeSwapper) to provide improved access to greater number of potential matches free of cost to tenants.

Agreed with Officer Recommendation