All systems go for North Lanarkshire mutual exchange portal

North Lanarkshire Council is helping tenants on its waiting list match their homes with others suitable for mutual exchange through a new online property program.

By signing up to the Mutual Exchange Scheme, over 3,300 tenants on the council’s housing transfer list have an opportunity to find their perfect property match by going online and viewing suitable properties to exchange with.

To begin their property search, tenants should input details about their home. Once they log on they can search for any suitable matches. Tenants of Registered Social Landlords can also access the system and look for a larger or smaller property that will suit their housing needs and circumstances.

Tenants have the option to allow their personal details to be displayed or they can opt to be contacted via their landlord - and the council’s housing staff are prepared to act as intermediaries.

Convener of Housing, Councillor Barry McCulloch, said: “We’ve written to over 3,300 tenants currently on our transfer list, telling them about our new mutual exchange scheme and asking them to sign up to the system.

“We want to maximise the potential of our existing stock and we’re keen to try and assist people to make the move if we can. We hope that by introducing this modern and exciting new approach we can help our tenants take the next step to finding a suitable home.”

Head of Housing Solutions, Elaine McHugh, added: “Our new Mutual Exchange Scheme is a good way for tenants, who do not have a high level of housing need or high priority on our housing waiting lists, to move to another property which meets their housing aspirations.

“We will continue to monitor the scheme, look at expanding its future development and talk to those using it to ensure it is meeting their needs.”