Home Exchange and Legal Advice | Legal Aid Clinic

Questioner

I would like to do a house swap. I would like to live in a slightly larger house and I am quite annoyed by the layout of my current house (no privacy). I have found a party myself who is prepared to swap houses because he also has quite a few objections to his current house (neighbours, traffic nuisance, sanitary facilities). I have now submitted a written application to the housing association. The other party has visited the housing association and had a conversation with his contact person (neighbourhood contact person). He told him that due to the current problems with his neighbours they will not approve the house swap. They also had the other party sign for not processing the application. This raises two questions for me; 1. Can a contact person decide for themselves whether an exchange may take place and can they have them sign for not processing the application? Is this a reason for a housing association to reject the request (due to possible discrimination or something)? awaiting message, MVG

Lawyer

Dear questioner, A landlord may refuse to exchange a home. However, if the grounds are not reasonable, the court may be asked for substitute permission. However, to assess whether or not it is reasonable in the case, more information is needed about the circumstances. And who do you mean by 'opposing party'?