Rules for Home Swapping in Social Rental Housing in Utrecht

Home swapping is possible for social rental housing in Utrecht with the approval of local housing associations such as Portaal, Bo-Ex, and Haag Wonen. Both tenants must swap on an equivalent basis: no upgrade in size, number of bedrooms, or rent price, in accordance with the Utrecht Housing Ordinance. Submit an application to your housing association with a motivation (e.g., closer to work in Utrecht city center or childcare in Kanaleneiland) and mutual written consent. The housing association will verify solvency, rent arrears, and whether the swap aligns with regional mobility objectives. Approval is granted within 4 weeks; refusal is only permitted for compelling reasons, such as maintenance issues in the property or a breach of suitability requirements. This promotes mobility in Utrecht, where the waiting time for social rental housing is often 7-10 years. Use platforms like Ruilwoning.nl or the Utrechtse WoningRuiler to find matches in neighborhoods such as Overvecht, Zuilen, or Lombok. In case of a dispute over refusal, you can engage the court via the subdistrict court in Utrecht.