The time may come when you want to move home. This section outlines the various options that are available to you for moving home. It also explains the steps to take should you decide to end your tenancy with us.
Your options for moving home
Transfers
You can apply to transfer to another High Peak Borough Council property or a Housing Association property. Our staff can offer assistance.
You will not normally be considered for a transfer if there is a problem with your tenancy. If your rent is not up-to-date or your property is damaged or in a poor state of decoration or cleanliness, we will not offer you a transfer until the problem is resolved.
Transfer incentive scheme
There is a shortage of family-sized properties available in the High Peak. The transfer incentive scheme aims to encourage tenants whose home is too big for them to move to a smaller property more suited to their needs. This helps us to make sure those households that need them most live in our family-sized homes. You may qualify for a cash incentive payment under this scheme if you are prepared to move from a property too big for you into a smaller one (not available with the mutual exchange scheme). To see if you are eligible, contact your neighbourhood co-ordinator.
You must…
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Tell us any changes in your circumstances that may affect your application e.g. addition or departure of household members, pregnancy etc
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Respond to any letters that ask for a reply or further information
Service Standards – transfers
We will…
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Register your application within 3 working days if you are eligible to join the transfer register
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Acknowledge your application in 7 working days and tell you the number of points you have been awarded
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Tell you your position on the transfer register upon request
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Review your application on a yearly basis to check if your cicumstances have changed.
Mutual Exchanges
A mutual exchange is when you swap homes with another Council or Housing Association tenant. Exchanges are often a quicker way for you to move home than applying for a transfer, especially if you do not have any special reason to move such as overcrowding or medical problems. You have the legal right to exchange your home as long as you get our written permission first.
Exchanges are a ‘self-help’ option because you have to find someone to swap with you. You can advertise for a swap via the Home Options web site and at our offices. Each of our offices keeps a list of all tenants who want to exchange – you can join this list yourself and view it whenever you want to. When you have found someone to swap with, we will send you a form to fill in to apply for permission to exchange homes. You must not arrange to move until you have asked for and received our written permission. The Transfer Incentive Scheme is not available for mutual exchanges. For further information contact your neighbourhood co-ordinator.
You must…
- Thoroughly check the other tenant’s house for things like outstanding repairs and damage etc
- Wait for our written confirmation before moving
- Leave your home in a reasonable state of repair and cleanliness
- Make sure your rent is paid up-to-date
Service Standards – Mutual Exchanges
We will…
- Inspect your home within 7 working days of receiving your application
- Give you written decision within 6 weeks
Homeswap Scheme
If you want to move to a different part of the country but do not have special reasons for doing so, the Homeswap Scheme may be able to help you. Homeswap is a UK-wide mutual exchange scheme that holds a register of council and Housing Association tenants who want to swap homes.
To register, you need to complete a Homeswap application form – these are available from your neighbourhood co-ordinator.
Service Standards – Moving out of the Borough
We will…
- Have up-to-date contact information for other Local Authorities, which we will provide upon request
- Provide information and advice on schemes that could help you move to another area
- Provide exchange registers for you to look at on request
Ending your Tenancy with us
If you decide to move and end your tenancy with us, several important things need to be done. We aim to repair and re-let empty properties as quickly as possible to minimise the amount of rent lost and the length of time they are stood empty. It is important that you help us to achieve this by following the advice given below.
Giving Notice
You must give us 4 weeks notice in writing to end your tenancy. You can give notice by either:
- Completing a Tenancy Termination form – available from your neighbourhood co-ordinator
or
- Writing a letter giving your current address, the address you will be moving to and the date you want your tenancy to end.
All tenancies must end on a Monday.
Before you leave your property, you must make sure that:
- The property is clean and tidy
- All furniture, carpets and personal belongings have been removed
- All sheds, lofts and outhouses have been emptied
- No rubbish or unwanted items have been left in your garden or property
Please remember that if we have to move bulky items for you, we will have to charge it back to you.
To find out how to get bulky items collected, please click onto:
Bulky waste advice
Exit Questionnaire
Please help us to improve our services to you by completing our Exit Questionnaire when asked.
Returning the Keys
You must hand in all the keys to the property by 12 noon on the Monday that your Tenancy ends. If your keys are not handed in you will be charged on additional week’s rent for every week (or part week) that you have your keys.
Payment of rent
Rent will be charged up to the Monday when your tenancy ends. You must make sure that any outstanding rent is paid before you move. If you leave owing rent arrears, you may not be considered for Council accommodation in the future until your rent account is clear.
Clearing your home
Before you leave the property, you must make sure that:
- The property has been left clean and tidy.
- All furniture, carpets and personal belongings have been removed. Do not forget to empty lofts, sheds and outhouses.
- No rubbish or unwanted items have been left in your property or garden.
If you have items of bulk household rubbish to be removed, see the section on Rubbish and Storage and Removal
The Glossopdale Furniture Project may welcome any unwanted furniture. They can be contacted on 01457 857505
You will be charged for the removal of any rubbish or unwanted items that you have left behind.
Repairs
You must make sure that any necessary repairs that are your responsibility have been carried out. You will be charged for the cost of putting right any repair that is your responsibility.
Alterations
Any home improvements that you have carried out to your home will become Council property when you move and must be left in good condition. In some cases you may decide to take items with you when you move out. If so, you must replace whatever was fitted there before and make sure it is in good working order. You will be charged for the cost of putting things right if you leave anything missing or damaged.
Meter Readings
Make sure that you contact your gas and electricity suppliers to arrange for your meters to be read before you hand your keys in. They can often do this on the day you leave but generally need at least 2 days notice. Failure to provide final meter readings may lead to you being charged for the supply that you have not used.
Water, Gas and Electricity Supplies
On the day you move, remember to turn off the water at the stop tap and the gas and electricity off at the meter.
Mail
Make sure you arrange with Royal Mail to redirect your letters to your new address. Call into any post office for an application form.
Telephone
Tell your telephone company that you are moving so that they can disconnect the line.
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