Transfers and exchanges
There may come a time when your home is no longer
suitable for your needs. It might be too big or too small, or you
may need to move to another area. Talk to us if you are considering
moving for whatever reason.
We may be able to help you find a new home
by:
- arranging for a move (transfer) to another of our
properties;
- helping to find someone for you to exchange homes with (mutual
exchange); or
- advising you to apply for housing to the relevant local council
that holds housing registers for social landlords in the area.
Transfers
You can apply for a transfer if you have a clear rent account
and your property is well maintained. We will award you points and
assess your priority. Points will be based on housing need such as
overcrowding. In some circumstances we may award you extra points,
for example, due to medical problems. When you apply for a transfer
we will visit you at home to confirm your circumstances before
completing your assessment.
Mutual exchanges
This is a simple way of moving. You have the right to swap your
home with another of our tenants or a tenant of another housing
association or council. You will need to ask us for permission, but
generally we are keen to help you and the only reason we would
refuse is if:
- we had started taking legal action because you had broken one
or more of your tenancy conditions;
- you had missed rent payments;
- you were not maintaining your home in good condition; or
- it would cause overcrowding or if the property is too big for
your household.
Please note that if you have a protected assured tenancy and you
move to another landlord, you would lose your protected rights such
as the right to buy your property.
Properties available for exchange are advertised through our
mutual exchange listings, which are in each of our offices, and
through the HomeSwapper website (see panel right). People also
advertise in local newspapers and local shops.
Cash incentives
In order to make best use of our existing housing stock and
satisfy the demand for larger family homes, we operate a scheme
called 'Money to Move'. This scheme is for people moving from
houses.
Under this scheme you could receive £500 per bedroom released
depending on the type of property you occupy. This has been set up
specifically to encourage tenants who are under-occupying their
homes to move to smaller accommodation. For more information talk
to your Housing Officer or contact one of our Local Service
Centres.