Stockport Homes

Under schedule 3 of the Housing Act 1985, Mutual Exchange swap requests can be declined on specific grounds.

The legal ‘Ground for Refusal 7 (Adapted Properties)’ states: ‘A Mutual Exchange swap request can be declined if a property features disabled adaptations and the incoming household does not have an assessed need for these adaptations.’

Therefore, to make best use of limited housing stock, we reserve the right to decline Mutual Exchange swap requests where an adaptation need would not be met by the exchange e.g.

• If you have been assessed as needing an adapted property by our medical officer, you can only complete a Mutual Exchange with a property that meets your assessed need
• If you have adaptations in your current property, you can only complete a Mutual Exchange with another tenant who has been assessed by our medical officer as needing the adaptations

If you have any queries in relation to this policy, please contact us by telephone: 0161 217 6016 (Option 2) or email: mutualexchange@stockporthomes.org

Medical assessment requests can be submitted for each household member. However, points will only be awarded to one household member (usually the household member with the most affected condition).

If you would like to tell us about a medical condition, disability or mobility problem which is being affected by where you currently live, please select the following option in section 8. of the online application form (‘Your Housing Need’):

‘ I, or a member of my household, have a long-term illness or disability which is being caused or impacted by where we live now’

Taking this step will enable you to complete a full medical questionnaire at Section 11. for up to 2 members of your household. If you need to tell us about additional household members, please use the space available in: ‘Details about any further relevant applicants with medical need’.

Please note: it’s important to complete all sections of the questionnaire as we are unable to make an accurate assessment of your needs if information is missing.

It is also important to provide documentary evidence to support the information contained in the medical questionnaire. This should be dated within the last 2 months and must clearly show your full name and current address. Example documents include:

• GP print outs
• Document(s) from a medical professional confirming your diagnosis
• Copies of prescriptions or screenshots of medication

Please allow up to 6-weeks for the assessment outcome to be communicated via a letter to your Homechoice account.

Further information including a video guide, can be viewed here: Medical Assessments guide

When your annual renewal is due, a reminder letter will be issued directly to the ‘My Communications’ section of your Homechoice account homepage.

To submit your renewal application, please follow the link at the top of your homepage in the ‘My Activity’ section and take care to ensure all your current details are correct before you submit.

Social Housing – Medical points assessments

For more advice and information on how to complete the medical form, please go to ‘Information’ then ‘Medical Assessments’ to view a video guide and frequently asked questions: https://www.homechoicestockport.org/content/Information2/MedicalAssessments

Support to complete a Social Housing or Mutual Exchange application

A range of support is available, including:

• Website: Guide to completing a Homechoice Application Form and How do I apply for a mutual exchange?
• Tel: 0161 217 6016 (option 2) Mon to Fri, 8.30am to 5pm
• Email: homechoice@stockporthomes.org
• Drop-In to: Cornerstone reception, Mon to Fri, 9am to 4pm to speak to an Advisor

The Homechoice website will be closed for essential maintenance on  Thursday 22nd January and will be back from 1.00am on Friday 23rd  January with the latest property adverts.  

If you need help during this time, you can: 

• Call us on 0161 217 6016 

• Email homechoice@stockporthomes.org 

• Visit us in person at Cornerstone, 2 Edward Street, Stockport SK1 3NQ 

We apologise for any inconvenience. 

From the Homechoice website homepage, go to ‘Information’ - ‘Mutual Exchanges’ – ‘How do I find a 3-way multi-swap exchange?’ – click the link to open the step-by-step guide ‘to search for a 3-way swap’

You can also find a link to the guide here