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.

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