FAMILIES crippled by new cuts in housing benefits are rushing to swap homes to save money.
The spare room subsidy – commonly called the "bedroom tax" – came into effect on April 1.
It means those living in social housing with a spare room have had their housing benefit cut by 14 per cent. This becomes 25 per cent if they have more than one spare room.
As a result, websites which allow residents to swap their council houses have seen a surge in traffic, with some now having nearly 250,000 visits every month.
Mike Ward, of Circle Housing Group, which runs houseexchange.org.uk, said: "Many social housing tenants are desperate to move so they can find work, save on costs, or get the right property for the size of their household.
"This dramatic rise in visits proves that more people than ever are turning to mutual exchange services."
Users sign up to the site and register the size and location of their house, and why they want to move. They can then search for a new property which suits their needs and approach the current tenant about a swap.
More than 240 people in Surrey have registered within the last six months alone – an increase of 340 per cent compared to the same time last year.
A quick search reveals there are currently 74 households waiting to swap homes in East Surrey.
The National Housing Federation calculates the benefit changes will amount to a reduction of around £15 per week for some residents, which has led to a rush for exchanges.
In January, we reported on Nork resident Christine Hayter, 57, who says the benefit changes will leave her with just £3 a week for food.
She said: "Services like this will help some people, it provides a way out. People will take the chance for things like three-way swaps."
But, having signed up to similar services herself, she warned finding a match is difficult.
"I have a three-bedroom house and people that want it generally have two bedrooms, but I can only have one," she said.
"It is difficult if you are one person living in a house looking to swap down."
Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government show the number of households on social housing waiting lists has nearly doubled within the last decade.
For more information visit www.houseexchange.org.uk
