Ban people from pulling out last minute in social housing exchanges

Open for signatures 39 signatures

What the petition asks

When doing a house exchange with someone, one person might be allowed to change their mind at right up until moving day. This should not be allowed, people are packing, changing schools, etc., and then other person pulls out. Once papers are signed is when there is no changing minds about the swap.

Some councils and housing associations may allow people to sign papers to swap with other people but then still allow people to pull out and change minds even up until the day of moving. This should not be allowed. By this stage you might have changes a child's school, book and pay for home removal vans, and so on, only to be told sorry I'm not moving now. We think this is so unfair to the other person that has put in so much effort for the move. Once papers are signed it should be a done deal.

Timeline

30 Apr 2026

Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 39

Status Open for signatures

Department Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Opened 30 Apr 2026

Follow this petition