I have a lovely 3 bedroomed older type terraced house, on a road with private housing, so its a nice area. It has been fully modernised with fitted kitchen, double glazing, gas central heating , modern bathroom with electric shower. Its a Northern Counties Housing Association property. It comprises of kitchen, lounge, two double and one single bedrooms, bathroom, large private garden to rear, small garden to the front. The house is in Beighton, close to Crystal Peaks. We have bus stops on our road, medical centre on the end of the road, tram nearby and a coop round the corner. The house is on a flat, level part of the road.

My daughter and her two young children live with me so
I would like a larger 3 bedroomed house or a 4 bedroomed. Ideally the house will have a very large kitchen diner, or through lounge, or a separate dining room. We need extra room downstairs as we are really two families in one. This is our reason for moving. We will consider most areas within Sheffield, it is the size of property that we are seeking.

NB Northern counties tenants and council tenants can exchange without any problems.

Please get in touch if you can help. Thanks!

Just to remind everyone, and also for the new comers, Im still looking!

Is the reason I cant get an exchange:

1. the area I live in
2. the type of house
3. the housing association rent, which is more than the council ?

Can anyone shed any light on this???

The house sounds nice, the area that I know seems fine but the rent might be an issue unless you get an exchange with some-one on housing benefit.
I must admit I've only known a couple of people try to exchange and it took them ages and ages as they weren't living in a highly sought after area and like you wanted to move into hopefully a larger property.
I do hope you're pestering Northern Counties so if they have any properties becoming available they know to contact you?

Originally posted by alysonpeach
Is the reason I cant get an exchange:

1. the area I live in
2. the type of house
3. the housing association rent, which is more than the council ?

Can anyone shed any light on this???

Alysonpeach, I have been looking for a house exchange for almost 3 years now and like you I have questioned why I dont seem to be getting anywhere as I have been messed about no end.

The area I live in is okay it hasnt got a bad reputation and my house is really large for a 2 bed, the bedrooms are massive and the living room is equally as huge, Im close to all amenities, schools and the London Underground.

Everytime I ve had people view my house they are up for doing an exchange, but when it comes to me viewing their properties I find that:-

a) I am lied to:
(for example: told the property is a house when in fact it turns out to be a flat)

b) I am usually misled about the standard of the property:
(for example: told the rooms in the house on offer are bigger or equally as big as mine when in fact they are not)

c) I am messed about:
(for example: folk agree to an exchange and then pull out at the very last minute.)

I know it may seem like I am being fussy but I only want to swap with a property that has equal standards to my own, I just want a fair swap.

Im not expecting miracles or to find a property in a highly desirable area and I will consider anything within Sheffield (with exception to the Manor and flats) I dont think Im asking too much, I also fully investigate each area I am offered to make sure I am prepared about the schools in the area, the reputation of the area and amenities surrounding the area.

I must say that despite all the timewasters I seemed to have more offers for an exchange then going through any other avenue to find a move, but even so it is extrememly frustrating when all the above occur.

Im viewing another exchange today in Shirecliffe so I hope to god this is promising because I am really loosing the will to live.

I wish you luck Alyson and hope you find what you are looking for but dont loose heart keep searching something is bound to come up.

Joanne

Good luck, Joanne, in Shirecliffe.

I know all about the time wasters, too. I guess its all about just being patient and waiting, which isnt easy when you and your family are crammed into a house which is too small, (or in your case, in the wrong place).

What I cant understand is, we live in a NICE area. Not in the middle of a council estate, but on a road which is full of owner occupiers who care about their home and the area. We dont have any problems with crime or chavs hanging about, so you would think that we would be in demand.

The last time waster I had got someone else in to view their house on the same day and time as me and didnt bother to tell me! It seems to be far worse than selling a house for this sort of thing.

I still dont understand our lack of success!

Thanks Wallbuilder. Oh yes, Northern Counties are sick of my calls! (And NBH, Yorks HA and Chevin). Apparently I am at the top of the list for a 4 bedroomed with NC in a few areas, but there are only a few of these properties and people dont move from them very often. Northern Counties also say that none of their three bedroomed properties are any bigger than the one Im in. They tell me this repeatedly, but Im sure they must be.