If you are a secure tenant, in certain circumstances you have the right to buy your property. You should contact the Home Ownership Unit if you need more information about the right to buy.

 Purchasing another property

While you are a tenant you must not purchase another property, either on your own or jointly with another person and sub-let it without first obtaining our written permission.

However, if you would like to give up your tenancy and buy another property to live in, the Home Ownership Unit may be able to help or see our finding a home section for more information.

 Exchanging your tenancy

If you are an introductory tenant you do not have the right to apply to exchange your tenancy.

If you are a secure tenant, you have the right to exchange your tenancy with another secure tenant as long as you both have written permission from your landlords.
The main reasons for not giving permission would be:

a) if either party is required to give up possession under a court order,
b) if possession proceedings have been started against either party,
c) the accommodation is considered unsuitable for the new tenant's needs,
d) the accommodation is linked to the tenant's job,
e) the property has been adapted for a disabled person, or
f) the property is in sheltered accommodation.

We may ask you to pay any rent arrears or put right any other breach of the tenancy agreement before we allow the exchange to take place.

For further information, please see the Homeswap (Mutual Exchange Scheme) and Moving out of London section of the website.