Swapping homes makes two families very happy
Published 2 June 2010
A family of four and an 81 year old lady have swapped homes in Southwark and there are big smiles all round.
Sue Robinson's family of four including herself, her husband, her teenaged son and a three year old son, were feeling distinctly overcrowded and a local lady, 81, wanted somewhere nearby that was smaller and more manageable than her larger property.
Southwark Council runs a scheme called House Exchange, which allows tenants to swap homes that are mutually more suitable for them.
Both householders wanted something specific near where they were already living in Southwark. The older lady wanted a ground floor property that was easy to look after and Mrs Robinson wanted a home where her children didn't have to share bedrooms and so her son didn't have to change schools.
Sue Robinson says: "I only joined House Exchange in April of last year. We found the site very useful and easy to use. I would make sure I checked the site every two weeks to see the new properties.
"Ideally we wanted to stay in the same area in East Dulwich as this is where work, schools and church are, we didn't want to move away. The lady we swapped didn't want to move anywhere else either so we were a perfect match.
"I received her phone call on 16 October 2009 and we moved on 19 December 2009. We love it here and my three-year-old and 14-year-old no longer have to share and they have their own rooms, which they love.
"House exchange has changed our lives and we are so grateful. If you're looking to move, keep searching, because your dream home is out there; we've found ours thanks to House Exchange."
Councillor Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for housing says, "This is an innovative example of using existing homes to help two families find a home they're comfortable in. I'm very pleased for both parties and delighted that they can stay in the borough, as they wanted to. I wish them happiness in their new homes."
