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Friday, August 6, 2010

Mutual Exchange and Transfers

I would like to hear your experiences of the Mutual Exchange program.
How did you find a swap; how long did you wait; how many properties were you offered by DoH; were they suitable properties; did you swap or were you transfered etc

Start with which state you are from.
I DO NOT want to hear details about WHY you wanted to swap - personal stories of family situations are not relevant.
What is relevant is how you were treated by Housing staff, how the system did or did not work for you.

Positive stories are just as welcome as negative stories.

131 comments:

  1. My application for a swap was approved yet for the last 2years i have NEVER been on their swap list.I have continuosly argued with them about this yet all they repeatly keep saying is their computer data only spits out 250 applicants and if your not lucky enough to be one of them their is nothing they can do about it that their data needs updating;that was 2years ago!.This is why im so grateful for your ourhouseswap column as i at least get to advertise and have had plenty of responses just looking for the right area.Please keep up with your great column!

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    1. I too have been approved for transfer for over 2 yrs now I applied for Kyogle ,they say no cause its all 2 br or more there YET I am approved for 1 or 2 bdr in Casino still nothing as both towns move slow ggggggggrrrrr good luck to you

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    2. Id just like to be able to search for what people are wanting rather than where they are as people rarely want to downsize and waiting on a bigger place is getting difficult.still i will continue to check every ad in northern and hunter nsw til i find someone wanting something in my area

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    3. Searching on what people want would make the program overly complicated. It's a free site and the $$ are simply not available to make intricate search parameters

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  2. I have swapped 3 times over the years, but to be honest I can't remember how I did it because I've only just found this site(which is great by the way).
    I think the main problem in finding swaps is that not enough people know about this site and that it's possible to do it at all.
    One way a friend of mine got a swap was , she put letters in the letter boxes of all the houses in the area that she wanted, leaving her details and someone called her and viola..swap.
    That's a good idea if you know if it is DOH house but sometimes you can't tell at all.

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    1. I swapped from the northern rivers to Syd . Att I put an add in the Telegraph think it was on Thursdays. I had a choice of houses, viewing them all was the only drama, the other tenant and I swapped we had phoned the doh and we swapped, doh visited our homes and after some paper work all was well. That was 1995
      The Website is not known by enough people maybe if we can get it printed in the doh magazine but how any ideas?

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    2. I have been trying for 13 years to get all 8 State Govt Housing departments to acknowledge that Our House Swap exists and inform tenants that there is an alternative to their own archaic swap lists.

      If you can untie the red tape then go right ahead.

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    3. Hi I'm a tenant of st George community housing and found a lady that really needs to swap houses it's a perfect swap as she needs to move here and I'd love to move there although her housing witch is argyle housing says there is no mutual exchanging at all so just wondering if you know any way around this??

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    4. Am having the same issue with The Housing Trust & a DOH tenant. Both of us are on priority transfer for similar reasons. Her place is perfect its 4 min from my daughters and my place suits her. Both villas are the same ie 2 bedroom etc & age.
      Both of us have been informed that under NO circumstances can an exchange be granted by 2 different housing entities. Only can mutual exchange with either Community Housing entity or with the DOH entity if your with them & not be mixed.

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    5. As more and more Housing stock gets handed over to Community charities - more of our rights get watered down with different rules and regulations from each of the new entities.

      Even if a CSO tells you that you can't swap - take it higher up the food chain... even to the Ombudsman if necessary to get them to see common sense.

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    6. the same applies to what is known as head lease properties ,,its where the doh rents them then leases out to you they don't actually own the building I had a perfect swap lined up only to find this out after packing

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    7. Yes, I have had the same prob, years ago re, anonymous Sep 2. I wanted to swap from doh to ch, my place was perfect for him, I hav a big back yard, which is of no use to me, his unit was perfect for me. Actually, ch agreed to do the swap, but doh no way. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO GIVE TENANTS A FAIR GO!! So this is what they are claiming and advertising about now. FAIR GO, BULLSHIT/!!!!!

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    8. I have a friend who was in a 3 way swap last year and one was a head-lease. No difference at all.

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  3. hi.we have moved once with a swap.it was a nightmare with the doh.i think we lodged app in may/june 2009.we didnt hear anything for atleast 2months,then we got declined saying we earnt to much money(we were over by $6.00 per week)..the lady we swapped with was living in a 3bdr and so were we.its was just her alone.we got 3 kids.cause it was her alone the doh wouldnt allow it.so we applied to the supervisor of the office and the lady did the same.it took so long we thought ohwell its a no go.so we started getting doh to fix the problems in the house(i had to take them to cosumer affair).it was nov 2009,when we got a call saying we got approved for swap.so we were hummimg and rrrring,but we took it.in the end it was a good moving,but doh finally started to fix the house the day we moved...

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    1. I had the same problem with money issue...the people I wanted to mutually swapped with paid $10 a week more in rent, and earned more...but what I dont understand is they are not losing any money!!! So it was declined!

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  4. We are on the mututal exchange list and had ONE letter from DOH only 2 find out it was in the same area!

    The DOH said "Sometimes this happens"

    Our tenancy manager her is VERY picky as far as some1 moving into our 4 bedroom is concerned!

    I have asked to be relocated due to medical reasons (Doctors reports were supplied) only 2 find out im in elligable as "We have ppl on our exchange list who have cancer and are dying and THEY dont even get a transfer"

    What a joke!

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    1. what a dusgusting bad evil wicked system of people stop the rents, we need to tell the owner of this site to band together and have march outside the Minister for housing offfice

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  5. i found a 3bedroom house and housing said i was fine to move to the house i have a 3bedroom town house and then a week before i move i got a regection letter from housing saying i was underocupying the 3bedroom house i called and asked how am i under ocupying my house i have myself and my 2 daughters living in my home which makes a room each then they told me it was the other lady i was doing the swap with lived there on her own and now there putting her in a 1bedroom unit i asked could i still move in the home because there moving her out anyways they said so rudely to me NO theres nothing they can do she said i said what about a three way swap and the lady from MT DRUITT D,O,H said never heard of such a thing

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  6. Recently(Feb 10)three tenants including myself organised a three way swap, one of these swaps included a 3 bedroom house with one tenant the other 2 being 2 bedroom properties. I was reliably told by a skilled CSO that even though 2 people would be going into the 3B/R it would be approved. After submitting the paperwork for approval the exchange was refused due to under occupancy. There were three very disappointed people and btw the tenant in the 3 B/R is still awaiting a transfer(12 months approx) due to physical injury and cannot manage the stairs of this property.

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  7. I was approved to move to my present, far too big place, on a mutual exchange basis, the 2 people previously here found it "too quiet" (!!!) and my last place had ongoing tenant to tenant disputes that impacted on my life, so, I now live in a 3 bedroom townhouse (if you do not believe me contact me and when I decide you are safe I will prove it to you) the tenants are all middle aged and over, most of the places on the property are ground floor villas, I cannot find anyone to swap with me because of the stairs I believe, as people getting older are not looking for more work, I dearly wish to find a 2brm villa with no stairs, no garage, no grass to have to cut, for health reasons, I am finding dealing with HNSW not helpful...ironically when I was young I guess I would have dreamt of having such a great big place.

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  8. i have been approved for a transfer to move due to my severe disabilities that have accumulated over the last 3yrs which are worsening due to living here and yet DOH tell me i need to wait 3-5yrs to be transfered.What i cant accept is the fact that "homeless" people get no.1 priority for early housing and us people with severe disabilities need to wait.before getting this place i had to share housing in private rent with others for 12yrs because i could not afford to live on my own so why are homeless people treated more urgently when they could easily share living in private housing sharing the rent and waiting for there turn of housing to come up instead of making disabled people as 2nd and 3rd priority while homeless people get 1st priority.this is the problem everybody is all of a sudden 'homeless' 'no'they just say that to get in first..this rules NEED to change!!

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    1. I was made homeless by a house fire. It happened at 10.50pm on a Monday night I went to houso on the Tuesday morning & they ask if i could stay at the house that night as they had nothing to give me. I said it was burnt down & showed them pics of it, they said O then asked my friend if my family of 4 kids & me could stay at her house for 2 months while they looked for something. I couldn't do that as her house was full with her own family. Yes they had to give me a temporary place to live i had to more around. I was given a place for 3 nights then back into houso office stay there all day waiting to find out if i could get other place they said i could go back to the same place & i refused as this place was not safe as it had electrical problems it had sparks coming out of the light switches & my kids where scared that it would burn down to, also we had things stolen from there , that we got out of the fire the next day as my house fire was caused by the a electrical fire. The houso lady didnt like that i wouldnt go back there for the sake of my children i couldnt. they got really shitty with me about it, saying i should be lucky they are helping me. So no homeless people don't get first. I was in the office one day tyring to get help when i over heard a person from a non engish speaking country there wanting help they where talking through a inturpetator asking for a house & they where told that it would be a 15 year wait as that is how long it was. But along the way they went off about waiting so long, so it got changed to the top priorty housing list of only 2 years. So no homeless people don't always get first.I know someone that is waiting for a house she has kids with severe disabilities & she has been told she has to wait her time as they don't have many place to give. Well that is bull i now have a place that is full of mould & mildew & i was told pretty much touch if i didnt take it i would be out on the street with my kids. But she is still waiting. I know it is disrespectful that someone with disabilities has to wait so long. The goverment needs to put so one in charge that has respect for the people in these's situation not put them down for needing housing.

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    2. wow how sad humanity has come for ignorant people to just assume and generalise about people being homeless! ive never heard of anyone CHOOSING to be homeless. i had to flee my home in the middle of the night as a drug dealing pyschotic doh neighbour threatened to kill me and my child we had to live in a refuge for 3 months until we were approved by doh in which time i suffered such duress i got a disability. so dont be such a narrowminded asshole. we all need help sometimes we all hav a right to support.

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    3. AnonymousAugust 17, 2010 7:45 AM
      Recently(Feb 10)three tenants including myself organised a three way swap, one of these swaps included a 3 bedroom house with one tenant the other 2 being 2 bedroom properties. I was reliably told by a skilled CSO that even though 2 people would be going into the 3B/R it would be approved. After submitting the paperwork for approval the exchange was refused due to under occupancy. There were three very disappointed people and btw the tenant in the 3 B/R is still awaiting a transfer(12 months approx) due to physical injury and cannot manage the stairs of this property.

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  9. i think our house swap good thank you
    i use it 2 times i did ok out of it
    danny nsw long jetty

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  10. I am a tennant of community housing and apparantly i am unable to swap with anyone from DOH via mutual exchange. But if doh find me the property it is possible. How does that work????? Also it will probably take 5 years. So i am currently stuck in a community house that im not happy in and have to wait years for a swap....

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    1. We're are you wanting to move from and to?? Also how many rooms do u have I'm also in community housing and getting told that I'm unable to do mutual exchanges

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    2. I think it depends on your Housing Manager.... I am also in Community Housing, but my Manager has sort of given me approval to move if I want to... He is sending me the paperwork now....
      APPARENTLY, if you want to move to another area, you apply to DOH NOT Community Housing..... Have no idea as to time taken to do all this......

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  11. I was recently contacted by someone on Our House Swap for a mutual swap, for the first time I have accepted because the house was exactly what I was looking for and so was mine apparently for him, so we both agreed and we signed all papers for a mutual swap, BUT because he had only been in his home for 6months we had to wait 12 months before DOH would approve the mutual swap, Ok I thought thats fine with me,that meant we could clean the place throughout,have one last christmas here etc... a few days after signing papers the guy I was swapping with asked me out on a date, and I said sure but only as friends nothing would come of it, and then suddenly he pulled out of the swap and told me he was just going to throw in his DOH and take off up north..,(lol typical male ego I think) so I called DOH and asked if he did throw in his home could I please swap with him anyway, but because he withdrew his mutual agreement I am not allowed... :-(...I do believe things happen for a reason...since then DOH have sent me 2 letters with mutual swaps but I have not been interested in any as yet.. but I check Our House Swap every couple of days because it is a great site and I want to say thank you very much for creating it for us.. Cheers :-)

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  12. well i have had some terrible dealings with the housing department.On very few occasions do you find a staff member whom is nice and helpful.I am currently waiting for my transfer its urgent and it could take years, had a life death situ. the staff get really rude when something happens non of which was your doing and a transfer is sought , its like they have do build it personally . I would much prefer i wasnt here at all .Its like your life is not your own anymore im sick to death of the rudness of housing staff,just bite my tounge. I was also homeless for 5and a 1/2months last year so im not about to up and go, the distrust that you go thru even then . its so sad that it is the nsw goverment that train their staff, and use the term 'officers'! please give us our rights as tennents its not as tho the rent is free !there are lots of issues like the nsw housing moved to a 2nd story buildng when its law! the place has to be equally accessible to all . So god forbid a fire or the lifts going out a person in a wheelchair would not be able to get out as we all could so how is that fair? I for 1 will not enter into such a place.I dont know why the computers are not just simply set up to what everyone wants then there is less anxiety and friction. i can live without that rubbish.I am sure the goverment already know what goes on as its their policies that cause all the problems in the 1st instance. oh and why do housing staff have a departmental house anyway surely that could be read as corruption .It seems that only when you are right and simply asking that your rights to be adhered to that the staff get even more dogmatic cranky ,so there lay the big part of the problem. thankyou

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  13. I have actually already posted my comments about mutual exchange and transfer in HNSW accommodation...but, I want to say that, just knowing this OURHOUSESWAP site is here, is a window of hope with a sense of imminent freedom, unlike dealing with staff at HNSW, which I find makes me feel institutionalised in a very bad way. 'Gumtree' website also has swaps in large numbers, some of which may also be on this site. My local office is only too glad to tell people about OURHOUSESWAP because it gets us out of their faces...I only wish I could think of a way of telling ALL public tenants about this site.

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  14. I am in NSW.Ihave had horrible experiences with DOH. I applied 4 a transfer aprox 18 mths ago due to serious safety concerns 4 myself & my 2 yr old child.I was told by 1 staff member "dont lodge the form till u have the letter/report attached" I explained it would take time to obtain the letter. "thats o.k" she says.The position of 'case officer' 4 our complex is given to a different person each week, Sometime later i was asked by a new case officer why i didnt lodge the application.I explained that I was told not to without the letter. I was then told that i had to lodge the application with or without the letter/report,This staff member pretty much accused me of being a liar saying that she had spoken to the other staff member who said she NEVER told me to 'not lodge'.So,since then, everybody in that office seems to know THAT side of the story, not mine,I was told that in their eyes it looks as if I dont really care about a transfer because i didnt lodge the form promptly. Anytime I call that office, for whatever reason, I am not taken serious & I get NO-WHERE. I am ready to contact my local member. This office is extremely incompetant.

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    1. I believe you.I have been lied to cheated upon.I was not contacted enough a few months ago and when my friend decided to investigate that, they never confessed their faults.As I was afraid of, they have put me in a 2 broom apt in city.We have too much to loose, cannot have the dog and have to change school as well.This unprofessionalidm just is so heart wrenching and they are only making things worse for me.
      Anyone to swap a house in north city zone in exchange for a subiaco centro appt 2 bed.brand new.

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  15. The DOH system is truely a joke...they want my 4 bedroom house (only 2 of us living here now)as they have so few 4 bedders in my area...they wont put me into a smaller one as there are non available...what the? I want to know why...if a smaller house becomes available i should get offered it and therefore free up a 4 bedroom which they have a shortage of...but noooooooooooooooo they say there are too many people on the waiting list to enter into DOH homes...surely a big family would benefit more from this bigger home with a huge garden that i never step into......their system seems stupid to me....typical government department!

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  16. i am swaping my house for a 3 bedroom unit in hamiton south.problem is housing in penrith are taking there time.housing in newcastle have approved the lady in hamiton south my housing officer does give a flying duck shit bout making time for me.she says its not a urgent i have too wait my turn hello i been waiting 7 weeks

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  17. Has anyone in QLD had any luck?
    Im looking for a swap asap, been on this site for over a year looking. Seems no-one in this area posts or maybe doesnt know about this great site.
    Im approved highest priority for a transfer/swap thanks to a psycho neighbour. Hopefully we'll get that magic call soon so everyday isnt left hanging in limbo.

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    1. remind me not to swap with you , you can keep your psycho neighbour

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  18. I have been reading the comments people have been making on this site....I am wondering at the intention at inviting comment? Mostly there are unhappy comments for other unhappy people to read.... what is the use of this, as there is no information, no sense that public tenants can change anything in public housing, and, no one feeling enpowered to change anything...this already exists within the system that public tenants find themselves, so, this all seems like a disingenious idea and a waste of time.

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    1. Well said... logic! :)

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    2. Misery loves Company perhaps?
      We all know the system is broken - maybe by these comments we can gauge just how broken the system is and give real and proper feedback to the policymakers.
      All their fluffy rhetoric in their glossy brochures is worth nothing when the tenants have to LIVE the reality.

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    3. Never give up and never be down trodden by a bureaucrat! People power goes along way in changing 'the system'. People need to stand up and fight for their rights - don't whinge - just do it!!
      How do you think unions started? And this site is a start for banding together like minded people - not to whinge but to constructively help change.

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    4. you sir are an idiot

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  19. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  20. Can anyone tell me how much time the Dept give you to move after both party's have been given the O.K. and have signed their leases?

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  21. I am in a house out of mutual exchange thanks to this website.Warning to anyone who is participating in a mutaul swap.Make sure that housing have done their pre-approval inspection of the home you are moving into.My house was inspected and approved for a mutual swap.When I saw the other place the tenant advised that the problems in the home were being looked into.The tenant was a hoarder I couldn't see the extent of the damage of the place until she moved out and I was given the key.I am a single parent with two kids and no family.On the day, I arrived with the truck to a disgusting place the carpet was all wet, pet urine and pet faeces the stairs were broken, toilets were not working.Couldn't move furniture upstairs,no stairs all boxes left downstairs, had to sleep in a hostel.I am in the process of taking DOH to CTT. DOH had an obligation to follow protocol.The front glass door was leaking each time it rained-water damage everywhere. They told me to dry it with a fan in winter, when I removed the carpet they told me I had to pay for new carpet.Putting the blame on me when they couldn't get anyone out to fix an OH&S issue. They expected to have wet carpet till it suited them.Have requested all the calls I have made to maintenance through the freedom of information, it cost me $30 plus money order fee, hopefully it will be worth it.

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  22. More than 1 year I look in this site for mutual exchange, but no one want the place where I was living. I feel the application for Mutual exchange and another for transfer, I was aproved in few weeks, because of my health condition.
    After this start the problem some one in DOH said can be 2 to 5 years. How I can live with my condition go worth. I wait, calls, and nothing after 8 month I contact DOH and again said their don't having any house or unit avaiable for my condition. Well, I wait 8 month and nothing. I decide write one letter to the Minister of Housing with all copies from doctors, and letters from DOH, 2 days after I was contact by DOH, contacts and more contacts, in 3 months I was in a new place and in the area I want move for be close to my family for help.

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  23. I've been trying to swap for nearly 10years, i have no yard just a courtyard area, so nobody wants to swap. 3 and 1/2 years ago i was approved for"high needs" realocation, guess what im still waiting, every 8months i ask for some confirmation that im moving and all i get in return is a generated letter stating that "yes your on high needs, unfortunality there is no propertys available, and im sorry cant give you anymore information"... sheesh what to do. so im glad i found this web site, thankyou for setting it up, at least this way it feels like im making progress. ACT..

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  24. i have 4 bedroom house and i would like a swap and i,m only entitled to a 2 bedroom so it,s impossible for me to get a swap as whoever i swap with would have to have 3 kids.

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  25. I've been approved for a transfer since 2007 into a 4br cause i'm in a 3br Villa with my 5 kids. These villas have all older people living here. I find it so hard to find anyone who has a 4br to swap all i ever get offered is 3br places,which the DOH wont let me take, I really need to go to Campbelltown area which i was told would be quicker,then they tell me i will still have to wait another year. What i dont get is if they move the peole who need a transfer then they still end up with an empty house to give to other people.

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    1. That is just them being nasty I think! I got moved from a 3 bedroom unit when I was pregnant with my fourth child, a third son, I put my papers in with a drs letter saying the babys sex I was approved in three weeks had a four bedroom two weeks later, this was in the liverpool area which is high demand! Your house is severely overcrowded and you should of been moved a long time ago! Ring the ombudsman

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  26. In answer to Anonymous regarding housing swaps in Queensland, yes, we do use House Swap. I am on high need but have been told that there are people with no housing, yet, if I transfer, it will still not resolve the problem for those who are coming into the housing market. I just don't understand their reasoning.
    I have a lovely 2 bedroom unit in Sunshine Beach, unfortunately I am not going to be able to walk up the stairs for much longer. Good luck to all out there who are after transfers.

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  27. You cant say 'Logic & Government' in the same sentence, it's a contradiction.

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  28. took over 6mnths to get transfer papers even then local mp had to demand them to be told urgent transfer is up to 4yrs wait, hows that an urgent transfer, still have not heard from doh about transfer

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  29. hello would like to know if anybody has been in this situation and did the manage to get the swap i have been in my house for 7 months and my older son has had issues with some people which is very stressing for me and my other 2 kids i have got at letter from doctor to support my move has anybody been able to move even though they have been living in there house for such a little period of time? thankyou

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    1. Have read on this site, you must be in your present dwelling for 12 mths.

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    2. Only in Queensland!
      Archaic rule.

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  30. WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THEY SWAP!!
    • If you are a single person you are ONLY allowed a 1-2 Bedroom unit,House,Villa Etc. ( By DOH rules)
    • If you are a Family please ask DOH how many bedrooms you are allowed before going through this LONG process with another person .(So you do not get rejected after a very lengthy wait) Example: A family with 2 children Ex: Both girls are only allowed a 2 bedroom, A family with a Boy and Girl are allowed a 3 Bedroom.
    • It took me 3 Months to be approved for a DOH Mutual exchange(I have heard it can take allot longer)So please don’t think it happens straight away.
    • When handing in your mutual exchange forms make sure Both Parties hand in their forms at either end at the same time, If not that could add a few more months to your wait.
    • And people need a little more give on where and what type of place they desire to live in as most people are after the unthinkable.
    • I myself live in the most amazing location in an extremely private area right next to the beach in the eastern suburbs and would swap for anything with a backyard or balcony.
    • You cannot be too fussy! Be happy that you have a place to live and have the opportunity to swap
    I myself am over time wasting people that call you, You see their place first (We have driven 2 hours each way) and for them never to call you to make a time to see your place.
    The last time I had found someone to mutually exchange with it took 3 months to approve then the person backed out after being approved. I am asking myself the question is there anyone genuinely wanting to swap?

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  31. Simone said ... Whilst i think this site is a great idea, there is definitely a lot that doesn't work.The amount of time-wasters on here would have to outnumber the actual amount that truly do want to swap.I would even go as far as to say there should be a site for genuine people who want to swap& another for people who are just curious as to what else is available.
    I am not computer tech savvy , but surely there could be a system put in place that records those who waste months of emailing, phone calls,travelling to view properties only to change their minds at the last minute. After all this site has been created for people who genuinely want to swap.I am certainly interested as to what ratio of people actually do swap as to the time wasters which seems to be rampant on this site?? Any ideas??.. One train of thought is that i live in country area wanting to swap to city!
    Last minute thoughts .. People SHOULD CHECK the legalities surrounding swapping their places eg being up to date with rent, having no existing damages, the obvious not swapping for a 4 bdrm place when there are only 2 of you .. all of this should be the first part of houseswap before you even advertise your house on here!!
    Just some ideas on how to help this site run more efficiently!

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  32. Hello would anyone know the wait time for a priority transfer Ive been waiting 8 months I live in Sydney.Housing doesnt tell you anything they are so secretive..
    If anyone has gotten a priority transfer how long did you wait.

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    1. My Aunty was approved for a priority transfer on medical grounds 4 years ago. She lives in huge, 3 bedroom home and due to her health she needs somethings much smaller with only 2 bedrooms. In the past 4 years, she has had 11 different CSO's and each one has conveniently "lost the paperwork" or some other ridiculous excuse. My aunt is dying, she has an intellectually disabled adult son whos health is also failing and they need to be closer to family. They do not want a high demand area, in fact, they are after Macquarie Fields (where many people refuse to go). It seems as if the DOH go out of their way to treat good, moral people with scruples like garbage, and bend over backwards to pander to the ferals.

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    2. I definitely agree about pandering to the ferrals! :(
      I don't understand their way of thinking either!

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  33. We live in 2 bedrooms with 2 kids & a baby on the way and found a elderly lady to do a swap with us, she lives in a 3 bedroom property alone. After waiting 2 months our swap was denied as the other lady wasnt entitled to 2 bedrooms only 1 bredroom!! We are now fighting the decision and have politions, Local ombuslaman & the housing review board looking into it and should know the desision next week... Fingers crossed!!

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    1. How did you go? Was the swap approved??

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  34. I have applied to the CSO for a swap due to one family that has had 10 complaints regarding them in the past two weeks.I spoke to the CSO about this and he replied, I'm here to help them, I said who do you mean by them. He became stuck for words and finally replied "The Tenants".He gets to go home to peace and quite but we all have to put up with there uncivilized behavior. Throwing petrol on the stairs, screaming out all night. Like a pack of animals. Help House Swap?

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    1. Totally understand, I have had three breakdowns over ten years, two admissions to Hospital, have to sleep on the Lounge room floor due to noise. This is not living!!! The DOH should do more inspections, then they will see what is really going on, sometimes I feel trapped and want to die, no escape no peace, cant eat nervous all the time, cant relax.

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    2. I sincerely hope this situation has since improved for you!!! :)

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  35. NSW
    The Mutal Exchange program is a Frustrating experience all together. Forms lodged. Forms returned saying missing things ( refilled out sent back ) No response back 8 months on.

    You Ask Can you do a 3 way swap or even a 4 way swap and get given 2 different answers. Telephone says yes you can do 3 and 4 Local office said No you cant.

    You ask how long do you need to be in a property before you can swap ( example can i swap to one house now then do a 3 way swap in a few months time to get to the house i want ). Call center says we dont know there is nothing in writing about it. local office says same thing. how ever if you read these posts up top you see ppl rejected for not being there long enough.

    Never Once received an offer from DoH. And the ppl i have found on this site so far are nothing but time wasters. (Example: I have 4 bedroom free standing home looking for 3-4 bedroom Villa/unit/Freestanding. You make contact cause you have a 3 bedroom free standing home to get oh no we need a 4 bedroom. Happened at 4 different locations so far.)

    Basically the whole mutal Exchange Experience needs a Big list of Can's and Cant's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes you can do a 3 way swap because i did one

      Delete
  36. "WHO CAN TELL ME IF I CAN SWAP MY COMMUNITY HOUSE FOR A DOH HOUSE"?
    It seems to be impossible to find out..Too many contradictions depending on who you talk to, some say yes its ok and thats department housing, some say no in no uncertain terms.Why should it depend upon which office you call up and what department (it should be uniform across all nsw housing and community housing)So if anyone can set me straight!! Thanks Simone

    ReplyDelete
  37. I wanted to swap with another person in area i wanted to move and they wanted to move to my area, the exchange wasnt allowed all because the other people worked and earned to much....omg, how stupid!!! all we want to do is swap houses! the rent doesnt change...It seems that dept of housing is trying to boot out people that work...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dept of housing are the rudest people to deal with!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. totally agree with you there!!!

      Delete
  39. I live in Newcastle NSW area, I live in a 3 brm home on my own, I am prepared to give it up for a family to move in, I am on the DOH transfer list, however, they have told me it could take 2 yrs to transfer me, I am almost 60 and surrounded by families, all I want is a smaller home with not much maintenance. With the waiting list so long for families you would think they would be happy to find me another home or unit. Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After reading about all the people on this site waiting for transfers, I feel very disheartened. I'm in exactly the same position as you ,3 bedrooms just wanting 1 , no stairs. I could be dragging myself up those stairs forever. :( d

      Delete
    2. Take heart. I have just been approved for a housing swap! It DOES happen!! Good luck to you :)

      Delete
  40. Crud.
    After reading all this, I feel terrible about my upcoming swap. Its taken me almost a year to find someone, we're both ready to swap and just starting the paperwork process but had hoped to be done with it in weeks, not months. After reading so many posts about having to wait for months and months, I feel, well shattered. It shouldn't be this hard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CRUD, so did you end up swapping, and how long did it take?

      Delete
  41. hi

    i am also haveing trouble swapping my community houseing home with a tenant of DOH, one houseing office says its ok and another say no,
    has anyone else delt with this before or had a successfull swap?or any advice....

    stacey

    ReplyDelete
  42. reply to simone
    "WHO CAN TELL ME IF I CAN SWAP MY COMMUNITY HOUSE FOR A DOH HOUSE"?

    have you had any luck finding out anything more on this?did u community houseing office give you a answer?

    im currently going through the same process,one doh office says yes and another no,my community

    kate

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Would also like to find out if it can be done. Am in a battle also here. Anyone?

      Delete
  43. I am almost 60 with medical problems, I have a 3 brm house, live on my own,I need to move closer to my family, I have found a young single mother with a son who has autism, and a new baby who would like my house, I have been approved to move to her smaller unit, however, my office has said they don't want this person to live here as there are drug addicts next door, but I have had to live next to them for years,they have stolen from me, there is also 4 small children on the other side of me, and next door to them a boy who also has autism, and many more children across the road, this women has lived in this area before and is aware of what people live in this area, she also has many family members living near to me, she needs help with her children, and they said she can't have my house, I said to them, if I moved out wouldn't you give this house to a family any way?? why don't they kick the drug addicts out and do everyone a favour,make it a safer street.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :( How ridiculous is the Dept? Of course they would give your house to another family with children! :(

      Delete
  44. I want to move to nsw to be near my son but I haven't even applied because Queensland Housing Maroochydore told me over the phone that I cannot transfer between states. How ridiculous. It's all Australia. It's not as if I need to obtain a passport!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only reason they do not do interstate swaps is the differing rules between borders :(

      Delete
  45. I found a suitable house to swap with, and was told i wasn't elligible for that area, as that area had a much longer waiting time to get into. If we want to do a straight swap, then i don't see what the big deal is if both agree to a swap.

    ReplyDelete
  46. we were offered an unbeliable swap but they were told they couldn't swap with us. I was devastated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What was their reasoning behind this decision? :(

      Delete
  47. i put in for transfer sighting medical reasons i need to move from sydney to north coast for medical reasons climate in sydney makes my illness worse and i need family support. they turned me down but put on mutual swap but i have modified property for disabled so i am limited with who i am able to swap with they have made in extremely difficult to get swap. but i know someone who has been transfered 4 times in last 6 months because she has mental health issues i have medical issues but because there is limited properties for disabled they turned me down they should have more disabled properties available in north coast area. it is so unfair.

    ReplyDelete
  48. i have modified housing in sydney and need to swap to coast for family support and health reasons. they turned down transfer because there is not that many modified properties and i have to find someone else who needs modified property. it is hard because i need house with only shower and no shower baths and housing will not make modifications to another property for me and i have had a few who have wanted to swap but this has been the problem. i was wondering is possible to start another section on this site i know you have properties with stairs or no stairs how about putting putting another heading with people needing modified properties for disabled the would stop alot of timewasters to thankyou

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good suggestion - I shall add it to the "wish list" when the program gets a spruce up.

      Delete
  49. can you put a other page on our house swap website for modified housing only if say somone is stuck in modified housing because someone in home dies and can't move because they had find disable person to take over other reson make spearted page so disable person will find a modified housing sooner to person who need swap as wheel chair person is nolonger there and former carrer might not move out their house untill they find a disable person we need a pages so disable will see faster traner is very hard as they no housing that free

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes i agree with you i am in that position i have disabled home and need to swap but cannot find anyone to swap with in the area i need so i also suggested they put list for modified housing

      Delete
  50. I am in the process of a mutual exchange, both parties are happy to exchange. Paperwork was lodged end of January, so its been 7 weeks so far, the tenant i am swapping with was approved after 2 weeks. The problem on my end has been having to demolish a shed, aviary, cubby house, carport, love swing, garden water feature. The other tenant sent numerous faxes and stat decs to declare she accepts my property the way it is and would accept all responsibility. DOH said no, the property has to be left the way it was when i moved in 19yrs ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Were you eventually sucessful with your swap? We need to update these comments so that if you did eventually get the go-ahead, at least we have hope! :)

      Delete
  51. Been on OHS for 9mths qld been on transfer list for 9mths on very high need, got offered nothing by housing but doing a 3way swap 19th may it was very easy housing approved it within a week,i'm going into a 3bed she's going into a 5bed and 5bed is comming into my 4bed,COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is totally refreshing to hear a positive story and I hope now that your move is only a matter of days away that everything goes exceptionally well for all of you! Please let us know how you go? This feed could do with some more POSITIVE outcomes!! Congratulations on your win-win situation!! Awesome!!! :) :) :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Sand n Sea,the 3way swap went very well,all 3 of us are very happy in our new homes.....

      Delete
  52. I've looked at the one-bedroom units listed and notice sometimes the person is wanting to exchange for a 2- or 3- bedroom unit. My DoH told me I had to exchange one-bed for a one-bed, like for like. ????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi
      You can swap if both parties are agreeable.
      I am in a 1 bedroom lookingfor a 2 bedroom.

      Delete
  53. Here in WA we have a Homeswest category named SENIORS HOUSING. As you might expect, someone in a Seniors villa or unit can only swap with someone else who is in a Seniors unit. I was wondering if you could possibly make a seperate list on here for SENIORS HOUSING...?
    I've lived in my very nice 2 bed Seniors villa for 20 years but now would love to move closer to my family, but Homewest declined to even put me on the Transfer list and told me that if I could find my own person to swap with they would consider it.
    It does seem like a very inefficient way to do their job...! Isn't that what they are being paid to do, house people where they NEED to be, to be closer to their family who will help to look after them as they get frailer. I've been advertising on Gumtree and in the local Quokka newspaper for ages but not having any luck, and anyone who looks at Gumtree can see my photos showing that I keep my home beautiful. I don't know what the problem is. Before I came to live in Australia I did several swaps in England with no problem whatsoever. It could be so much easier if there was less red tape......!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. i live in a 4 bedroom house alone i have applied for a smaller dwelling 3 weeks ago i have rang them 3 times and they have not returned my calls they are always too busy the minister is asking people to scale back but the housing officers are not on the same page put someone in to work for the housing who is going to work and do there job instead of all these bluggers

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi, I was on a transfer list for a few years, I had also advertised my flat on Our House Swap with about 5 replies. They were all keen to move to mine, but I didn't fancy theirs. Then I started perusing other ads and contacted one of them and they got back promptly. We exchanged within a month, her CSO was much more on the ball than mine, but it all went smoothly and we are both happy with our swap. Thank you, thank you, thank you for an amazing service/website and I highly recommend it as it is generally faster than waiting for a transfer through Housing NSW.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I did a swap through your site and it was quick, smooth, no hiccups and mutually satisfying.

    thanks again

    cheers

    ReplyDelete
  57. I think people have to remember that we are lucky to have secure housing and that most transfers are not priority but housing the homeless is the main objective of department of housing.
    Also, having read some of the comments I am surprised that people think that they can swap their problems.. eg.. neighbours so bad that you want to move.. and expect others to want to move there?
    Another thing is that when we change our lease we are expected to leave the premises as they were or be happy to leave any improvements that have been permitted at our own expense ( there is process for re-imbursment from housing for some things )It is not okay to ask the person with whom you wish to swap for money for those improvements.

    ReplyDelete
  58. i found a person to swap with but the reason that we were refused the swap was because my daughter earns more money than what the income eligebility is, even though her income fluctuates being a casaul worker.my daughter is also my career and lives with me but if we want a swap its not allowed cause of her income.Does anybody know how we can get around this as i find this very unfair and stressful and need to move cause of my disabilities and need my daughter to be living with me.ta

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi..I live in a 2b/r house on the North Coast and am over 55..I was approved for a transfer on medical grounds almost 3 years ago in a surrounding area. Over the last 13 months I have had a fractured wrist/plate & a fractured heel where I am unable to cope with the upkeep of a house. This house is also on a slope which is not good for a fractured heel.

    In the above period I have also been robbed twice..once attempted because I was home. I have submitted Police event numbers and requested a priority transfer but it was refused. I live on my own and feel frightened especially at night.

    Due to the fractures, aging & robberies I had requested Housing to relocate me (December 2011) back to where my family and long term friends reside (Sydney). I was declined the move and took it to the next step of Appeal and a couple of months later Housing advised the application to move to Sydney should have been approved the first time.

    I recently phoned the Head Office in Liverpool to find out the status of my transfer and was advised I would have another 3-5 years wait.

    My dilemma is that I feel very uncomfortable about a mutual exchange because most people would not feel comfortable moving into this house because it has been robbed. I am not comfortable about withholding these robberies to interested parties and if in telling the truth I doubt very much anyone would be interested in moving into a house that has been robbed.

    On a closing note I have lived in Housing for around 35 years and during this time I have been a respectful tenant in every sense and have good neighborly relations. During my time in Housing I have witnessed bad behavior being rewarded by relocating these people to where they choose where they want to go....There is no merit for being a Respectful tenant and neighbor..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i can understand your frustration i live in sydney and i need to move to grafton because of disability and family support i applied for transfer they turned me down i went through appeals and ended up in tribunal they agreed i needed to be moved as soon as possible. i am constantly asking when i will get transfer they tell me because i need modified property it is harder.yet i have seen 2 families been tranfered in the last 2 weeks who are behind in there rent do not look after there properties trash them and are getting brand new homes. so i understand how you feel i am very angry and just want to get out for my health but apparently good tenants get treated badly and the bad tenants get what they want, where is the justice in that anyway goodluck hope you get transfer soon.

      Delete
  60. .hi, I swapped for my current house 3yrs ago. I found a mutual exchange to go back to my home area 6 months ago but was told the other tenant was not wanted back in the area! I got nothing in writing! Today I went to tell my officer to cancel my recent application as I found a cleaner house to swap, she replied that she was going to reject it anyway as that tenant is also not wanted back in this area, I'm guessing because of the unclea house they would of left behind before! I'm praying that my new swap gets accepted! Are they allowed to keep declining my swaps? I have carpeted and done so much to this house, doh have done nothing! I can't seem to get approved a swap even though the houses match! Can they really do this so many times? Please I'm desperate for info on what I can do!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Wow! Reading through these post I'm shocked! The reasons doh reject some swaps are ridiculous! Surely this is not allowed! One lady said they rejected her swap because of drug users next door another said the area she was swapping is a high demand area, what does that have to do Wii anything! Some of these doh workers are on a power trip! What can we do about it? Were looked upon as scum by many and told to shutup and be thankful! Its a mutual exchange, not like they have to do much work geez!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's just wrong, I hope I don't cop that because its for the safety of my children that I need a swap asap

      Delete
  62. I was going to swap with someone in a slightly feral block of townhouses...my parents live in this block too, and it was to be closer to them, I live in a house..we both put in the paperwork, and my CSO rang me and asked why I would want to move there as people want to get out of there!!! Well she came up with all these excuses that the other tenants had things to fix up in the house...and that was the end of that, I heard nothing more. It should be my decision where I want to go. I live in a feral area that noone wants to swap to...so whats the difference really?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Am just wondering if somone could help me i asked box-hill housing about a 3way swap and the man i spoke to said that his never heard of it.can it be done plese let me know i am from melb

      Delete
  63. I think people should feel blessed to have roof over their ungrateful heads at a rent much cheaper than most, all people in department of housing properties seem to do is complain so why dont u all get out and go back to private rent and let some poor family/person have your home and appreciate it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just because tenants express their LEGITIMATE gripes does not mean they are ungrateful.

      No more so than my complaining about the atrocious state of our roads makes me ungrateful to own a car.

      Delete
    2. Grateful have you ever lived in DOH our rent may be cheap but if you have a bad place & have real bad neighbours our cheap rent isnt worth it, ur health suffers & when you ask for help from the Dept they do nothing to help....

      Delete
  64. I was living, in a 4 bedroom house at narara my husband died. I lived in that house for 26 years I was happy in it they said I had to move because they wanted it back and there was only me and my son living there that I had to move so they put me into a 3bedroom house only 1 room less I have been here for 2years I want to move but really hard to find some one to swap with

    ReplyDelete
  65. NSW SYDNEY BANKSTOWN AREA

    I went to the DOH and basically wasted my time with these forms the customer no service rep str8 up told me you have to find a swap by yourself. I asked when will you send me matching tenants who wish to swap he said maybe periodically once every 6 months or so.

    great work...... waste of time I guess

    ReplyDelete
  66. i actually found a suitable swap after looking at many dumps and put in the forms. to housing buranda qld. each of us qualified and all should have been go but no.. housing poked its head and and it all stuffed up... why??? well you may be bewildered about this ... apparently my son on a dsp and cared for my me and me on a aged pension have to much income to have a swap.. aprox 860 per week joint income and max for a swap ( not a transfer ) is aprox 755.. go figure@@!!! apparently the govt changed the rules a while ago, told nooone and it basically discriminates against 2 pensioners sharing a home and wanting to swap... in 6 years housing only ever found me one very unsuitable swap and im very high need.in dire circumstances and constantly in danger where i live... no one cares. i seem to recall a while ago they were asking people to share their homes to free up stock and so when we did look at the result... just another housing bureaucratic stuff up. when will it end or do we end it ourselves and save them the trouble???? have to post this anonymous as retribution is rife in our local office

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You definitely need to take this one to the Ombudsman - or better yet - to CTTT

      Delete
  67. Does anyone know if
    housing NSW has access to Homeswest?

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hi all. I did a house swap (tenant exchange) via Our house swap website back in Jan 2012. I placed my add for the swap on that site in the June 2011. By November of that same year (2011) a young couple contacted me saying they wanted to swap Housing sa single houses with me. We arranged to look over each others homes and agreed with housing sa to do the exchange for the following year (jan 2012). The young girl kept in regular contact with me via texting my mobile. All was going well till the day we did the exchange. I had a pro cleaner go thru my house at my own cost (250.00), I had all the gardens tended to at my own cost (200.00) and even left 150.00 on the side with the house keys the day the swap took place just in case I had forgotten to clean some thing and needed the new tenant to cover out of pocket expenses. I arrived at the new house to find nothing had been cleaned, not even floors, cupboards or bathroom/loo. The garden was a mess and in great need of tending to. Overall I was in total shock that a person could leave a house in this bad of a state. Kids drawings on walls, holes kicked in walls and doors, need I go on!. If it could of been unscrewed or removed then that tenant had done so. Silly things like the silver bits on the door frames that the doors fit into to keep closed. Most had been removed. I found out the house hadn't even been painted since 1997. I sort advise from Housing sa and the tenancy appeals unit here in s.a and was told that I had no come back on the tenant I did the swap with. I was also told that because Housing s.a don't over see the whole exchange and don't do any final inspections on either property that I basically had to lump it and learn from it if I wanted to do another swap with any one in the future. Nearly three years later and im still getting that tenants mail. Had a debt collector come knocking a few weeks ago looking for that tenant for over due unpaid bills. I think in the future if I was to swap again then I would take photos and have everything put in writing so as I have proof if this happens again to me. The house was in perfect condition when I did the initial inspection but in the 3 months since that the tenants had trashed the place. I feel I did the right thing and I got the raw deal at the end of the day. Be aware of your rights..After this happened to me I had no rights, no come back on the tenant I did the swap with. Here in SA I think that Housing sa need to be more involved in exchanges like this. Do final inspections on both properties regardless of if its a swap via a site such as this or a direct swap via housing sa and being placed on there waiting list. I very much have second and third thoughts as to if ill swap again. Its not for everyone but I hope there is more honest tenants out there than dishonest ones like the young couple I did my swap with. I wish you all the best and hope this never happens to you.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am in the Hunter region of NSW and have been trying (unsuccesfully) to swap for nearly two years. You see, my place is for disabled people and from the very few replies that I have had disabled people only want to live near the beach. My villa is only 12 years old and I have kept it in great condition and it is a really lovely place, but to have people turn their noses up because it's not near a beach is absolutely absurd! If there are people out there who are desperate for disability housing shouldn't they be grateful that they are being offered something that will suit their needs? Seems not. We are looking for semi-modified housing within an hour of Sydney with a larger yard. Honestly, if you are that desperate for disability housing pull your heads in and move away from the beach.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Just want to say how Appauling what these Tenants go through.
    Every time one calls the Department you get a Different answer because they are there to just get their wages and not listen to Details.
    I would just keep at them Regularly till they Answer.
    They don't even care how they Dress .It's them that need Help!!!
    Write to Feedback online you Guys out there and keep writing to them till you get Justice!!!

    ReplyDelete
  71. I'm from Melbourne and was wondering if 3 or 4 way swaps are allowed

    ReplyDelete
  72. has anyone heard of a head lease tenant swapping with a non head lease tenant?

    ReplyDelete
  73. i live in nsw have been in a AHO property managed bye nsw housing since 1997 3yrs ago applied for a transfer based on medical grounds i need a fulltime carer and a exstra bedroom for my carer it has taken almost 12months to get an outcome and 3yrs later still waiting to be transferd they saying they cannot offer me anything as theres nothing available

    ReplyDelete
  74. Be careful when doing a swap as I was caught big time you take as is(check all walls cupboards behind stove ! Behind boxes hidden was holes ,punched in doors ,there was a rats nest back of the stove ,,the carpet was rotten with dog droppings the smell was coved up on viewing I never checked the toilet on the day !I don't think it was ever cleaned and I can't clean it shamed to have people here if learnt the hard way so be very sure what you are giving your home for been here 2 month still cleaning painting and waiting for things to be fixed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are there things to go over when making sure the place is safe and in good shape before swapping besides inspection could you possibly call someone to see if there are ongoing issues with maintenance?

      Delete
  75. I've had alot of issues with Brookvale housing. We were approved for 3bdrm transfer due to medical problems but waited 3.5yrs for an offer...now we have been on transfer list again for a year (house not suitable and needs repairs) but housing at West Ryde seem to be much better in trying to assist.
    At the end of the day though, I hear this "if there's no properties, there's nothing we can do"....

    In the past, about the year 2000, I had found a swap on this site, we ended up moving to Byron bay. I loved my house but my control freak husband insisted on moving again :(

    I went to tribunal this year to get repairs. Housing had 2 months and there contractors didn't do it.
    It seems like there are no consequences for housing if they breach orders!

    I'd like to get out of Sydney now!
    It's just a bit too stressful.

    ReplyDelete
  76. New research from AHURI says the number of swaps can be increased significantly. Mutual exchange has considerable benefits for tenants. www.ahuri.edu.au/research/resources/video/video-from-matching-markets-in-housing-and-housing-assistance/swaps-and-chain-letting-in-social-housing-in-australia

    ReplyDelete

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