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Home too big or small?

Is your home too big or too small?

Small is beautiful scheme

If you are a council or housing association tenant with one or more bedrooms than you need, a more comfortable, smaller, cheaper home could be yours...

 Why move? Perhaps...

• Your children have grown up and left home
• Your heating bills have gone up and you are finding it harder to heat your home
• You are finding the stairs difficult
• You would like to move nearer to family or friends

What you can get...  

• Band 1 priority to choose your new smaller home

You can also have a spare bedroom if you wish, so for example you may move from a three bedroom property to a two bedroom property under the scheme.

Important Notice: Immediate changes to the 'Small is Beautiful' scheme

We are currently reviewing the Small is Beautiful scheme with the aim of making it much easier for people to move into more appropriate properties. Please apply as normal, but be aware that no more grant payments are likely until April at the earliest while the review is taking place.

This means that you can still bid with band 1 priority but the main change will be that you will not receive a grant if you do move to a new home.

In April 2010, the Small is Beautiful scheme will be reviewed and further information about the availablity of grant payments will be issued.

If you are currently registered on the scheme and would lke to discuss this further, please call 020 7525 4193.

Contact us today on 020 7525 5950 to find out more. You will need to be registered on the housing list to apply.

 

Over-crowded and under-occupying Finders Fee scheme

Are you a council tenant who is registered on the Transfer List as over-crowded or under-occupying? (a home that is too big or too small)

This new scheme gives you the opportunity to secure private accommodation in the area that you want to live in. High demand and longer waiting times for council homes means that applicants who join the scheme will have more choice over where they live and the type of property which best suits their famillies' needs.

Tenant Eligibility

To be accepted on the scheme you must meet the criteria below:

• A Southwark Council tenant currently registered on the transfer list and classified as being over-crowded or under-occupying
• Have no rent arrears
• Have no history of anti-social behaviour

Properties and Landlords

We aim to help you secure good quality, affordable properties which are available for rent. We will do this by checking the amount of Housing Benefit you may be entitled to and by making sure that the landlord provides documents to state that the property is safe to let. 

If you would like to move, you will be responsible for finding a property yourself. We may be able to help you by looking for properties via the internet and lettings agents etc.

It is important to understand that if we assist you, you must end your tenancy with us. Once you have moved to private accommodation you will no longer be a council tenant.

Help given

The council will provide the landlord with an incentive payment which will help cover the deposit. If you want to move out of London we may also be able to help you with travel expenses to view a property.

We will also give you a payment (grant) to help you decorate or furnish your new home. The amount of the grant will vary depending on the size of the property you are vacating. The amounts are listed below:

We will only make the grant payment to you once your Southwark tenancy has been officially ended and your rent account has been closed.

To apply or for further information call 020 7525 5950.

'Just Right' under-occupation scheme

If you are a council or housing association tenant with three or more bedrooms who would like to move to a smaller property in Kent, the Just Right scheme can help. The scheme specialises in moving people to Cheriton, Dymchurch, Folkestone and Hythe and you do not have to be 60 years or over to apply.

Contact Gallions HA on 0800 838481 for more information on this option.

Download an information sheet about the scheme here.