There are many reasons why you may want to move from your present home. It may have become too small or large for your family or you may need to move nearer to relatives or to a new job.
We operate our own transfer scheme for tenants as a part of choice based lettings. You will be able to apply for a transfer if:
- Your family has increased in size and therefore you need more bedrooms
- Your family has decreased in size and therefore you need less bedrooms, we can also offer you a range of incentives for this
- A member of your family is chronically ill or disabled and their needs cannot be met by your present home
- You are over 60 years old and would like to move to accommodation provided for the elderly
- Social reasons, for example; I have got a job in another part of the borough and am unable to get there from where I currently live, or I need to look after a chronically sick relative in another part of the borough.
How to apply for a transfer
To apply for a transfer you should apply to register with our choice based lettings system.If you have medical reasons for wanting to move, then please give us details of these reasons with your application form. We may ask you to provide us with more information if necessary.
Once you are registered, you will be put into either the gold plus, gold, silver or bronze band depending on your priority need for re-housing. You will receive a written acknowledgement of this banding and your application date which you will need to be able to apply for properties in the future.
The length of time you may have to wait for a transfer depends on your band and application date, what areas you would like to move to, the size of property you need and how many other people are applying for properties in your area(s) of preference that may have more priority than you.
Before you are formally offered a transfer, your present home will be checked to see that you have kept it in good condition and looked after your garden. We will also check to see if you are in arrears with your rent. If you are currently in arrears, you will not normally be able to transfer until you have kept your rent account clear for a minimum of six weeks. There may be some exceptions to this however.
Normally you will receive a written offer of a transfer at least seven days before the start of the new tenancy. You will be able to view it before deciding whether to accept it. You can refuse the property offered to you, but you must let us know straight away.
Mutual exchanges
A mutual exchange is a straight swap between secure or assured tenants from a housing association or council. Exchanges can take place within the Fylde area or throughout the UK.
A mutual exchange can involve more than two tenants and can help you move more quickly than a transfer. You must obtain our written permission before you exchange. We have a list of tenants who want to exchange homes. When you have found a suitable exchange, you should contact the other person, and arrange a convenient time to view each other’s property. You should make sure you are completely happy with the condition of the other tenant’s property as any decorating or minor repairs will be your responsibility when you move.
If you want to proceed with the exchange, you should obtain an application form from the Company’s Office, complete it and return it. Your rent account will then be checked and if clear, a visit will be made to your home to check that the accommodation is the right size for the family involved in the mutual exchange.
A mutual exchange may be refused if:
- Either tenant is about to be evicted
- Either tenant is under Notice of Seeking Possession, or legal proceedings have begun following the notice
- The tenancy has special features; for example the property is specifically designed to help a disabled person, and the new tenant does not need this assistance
- Either tenant is in arrears. The Company will ask the tenant to clear the arrears before allowing the exchange
- The property is too large or too small for either tenant.
When you receive a letter from us agreeing to the exchange you can make arrangements to move. When you are arranging a removal date, remember that you will need to give the Company seven days’ notice. You will need to sign a form to assign the tenancy of your home to the new tenant.
