Social housing

People who rent a council or housing association home have a number of schemes in place to help them move.

Transfers

Medway Council tenants who would like to move to another Medway Council home can do so through a transfer. They must join the council's housing register and participate in Medway HomeChoice. This allows them to express their interest in properties which the council offers to tenants with the highest housing need. To apply for a transfer, a tenant must have lived in their current council property for at least three years.

Before a transfer can be offered:

• their current property must be in a good state of repair and decoration;
• the rent must have been paid in full and on time for the last six months;
• any other debts must have paid.

Transfer applicants should ask for an application form at housing reception at the address below or ask their estate officer to post one to them. They will also receive a leaflet explaining how the council assesses transfer applications and makes offers. It is impossible to say how long it will be before a transfer offer can be made.

Mutual exchanges

This is another way for tenants to move to another council or housing association property. A mutual exchange is where a tenant swaps their council or housing association home with a tenant from another council or housing association. A mutual exchange can be agreed anywhere in the country. The council has lists of people who are interested in exchanges. To be eligible, tenants must be up to date with their rent and their property must be in a good state of repair. They should also make sure that the property they are moving to is in good condition, as they will take on all the responsibilities for damage or alterations to the property caused by previous tenants. Tenants of properties with built-in adaptations for people with disabilities or tenants of sheltered housing for older people can only exchange with someone who needs this type of property. Tenants must get the council's permission to exchange. If they want to exchange with the tenant of another landlord, they will need the council's permission and that of the other landlord, in writing.

For advice on how to exchange and for full details of the process, please use the contact information below.

Find out about mutual exchange opportunities at www.homeswapper.co.uk.

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