Housing Exchange Scheme for Social Housing Tenants in Utrecht

Housing exchange offers tenants of social housing in Utrecht the opportunity to legally swap homes without requiring a new permit, provided both properties meet the criteria set out in the Utrecht Housing Ordinance. According to the Housing Act (Article 2.27), housing associations such as Portaal and Bo-Ex must facilitate exchanges via platforms like Woningruil.nl and the Utrecht-based Pararius platform. Criteria include: comparable rent (maximum €900 in Utrecht’s social sector), no rent arrears, an income threshold below €47,699, and approval from the Municipality of Utrecht. Benefits include a shorter waiting time on Utrecht’s urgent housing list and the retention of senior status for those aged 55 and over in Kanaleneiland or Overvecht. In 2023, Utrecht facilitated 1,200 swaps through exchange, accounting for 8% of the national total of 15,000. Register with your housing association with a motivation, such as family expansion in Tuindorp or proximity to UMC Utrecht. Negotiate directly with your exchange partner regarding key handover and household contents. Note: if there is a disparity in the WOZ (property valuation) value (often higher on Wittevrouwenweg), financial settlement via the housing association may be required. To avoid legal pitfalls, have the model contract from the Utrecht Tenants’ Association reviewed. The Municipality of Utrecht actively promotes exchanges through the 'Wissel Wonen' campaign to stimulate housing mobility in districts such as Lombok and Noordwest. This allows you to creatively solve your housing issue in the city, despite waiting lists of over 10,000 for social housing.