A Knowle mum and her five children are sleeping on the floor in what they describe as a house exchange 'nightmare.'
Alexandria* sent an application to Bristol City council to exchange her home with one in Clevedon on July 17, for mental health reasons.
The council had 42 days to approve the exchange, but the family are still waiting more than 150 days later.
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The housing mutual exchange scheme, as detailed on the council website, enables tenants to exchange homes when it suits both parties.
Tenants are required to arrange inspections on their homes and carry out the necessary work to ensure the homes are safe.
Alexandria says she completed the relevant surveys and tests in a matter of days, but continues to be told there is “no update”.
Her young family are on tenterhooks, living out of boxes and sleeping on sofa cushions as they wait to be told a date.
“I did my application on July 17,” she said. “It wasn’t until about three weeks after that they acknowledged my email for it.
“We finally heard something on August 5, the same day I had my baby. After that we had no communication from them until my mum contacted our local MP in October, who then contacted the council.
“We got a date for the survey. The surveyors came out and gave me 30 days to complete the work on the house. Everything got done straight away.
“Once I completed all the work, the gas man had to come out and do a safety test. That eventually happened on November 23.
“We were told once the gas man had done the safety test, the surveyor would sign the report."
She says she is waiting on Bristol City Council to sign it off now "everything is ready."
“Clevedon [Town] Council is ready,” she said, “but we’re waiting on Bristol City Council and I don’t know why.”
Bristol City Council said although it aims to provide decisions on mutual exchanges within six weeks, there is no set time for how long an exchange can take.
A spokesperson said: “We aim to provide decisions on mutual exchanges within six weeks.
"After a decision, there is no set time for how long an exchange can take as it’s dependant on a number of things, including any work needed to ensure both properties are fit for exchange and meet health and safety standards. We aim to do this as quickly as possible.”
But Alexandria says this isn't good enough.
“The children are sleeping on sofa cushions and I sleep on the frame of the sofa," she said.
“I have two teenagers, one eight-year-old and two babies.
“A few weeks delay would be understandable because of Covid, but this is months.
“It’s not good, especially for my teenagers. They understand it all now and if I’m stressed then they’re stressed.”
Alexandria's eldest children started school in Clevedon in September with the intention of them moving shortly after.
But as the family are still living in Knowle, they are having to commute to Clevedon everyday which is putting Alexandria under financial strain.
“We’re travelling 320 miles a week, it’s a nightmare.”
Alexandria's mum says the situation is "taking a toll" on her mental health.
"They are now waiting for a date to sign," she said. "But every time my daughter emails to ask for updates she is told there is nothing to report. Sometimes the reply’s take over a week each time.
"Both families are living mostly packed up and out of boxes. The timescale should be 42 days.
"Even with the COVID situation this has been over three times the normal timeframe."
*Alexadria: Not her real name
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