Housing Exchange Scheme for Social Housing Tenants

A housing exchange offers tenants of social housing the opportunity to swap homes without requiring a new permit, provided both properties are suitable. According to the Housing Act (Article 2.27), housing corporations must facilitate exchanges via platforms such as Woningruil.nl. Criteria include: equivalent rent, no rental arrears, and municipal approval. Benefits include shorter waiting times and retention of seniority status. In 2023, exchanges facilitated 15,000 swaps nationwide. Register with your housing corporation with a motivation, such as family expansion or proximity to work. Negotiate directly with your exchange partner regarding the transfer. Note: if the properties are of unequal value, a financial settlement may be required. To avoid legal pitfalls, have a model contract reviewed. Municipalities such as The Hague promote exchanges to improve housing mobility. This way, you can creatively solve your housing issue without waiting lists.