Moving home
Options for moving home
If you’d like to move as your home is no longer suitable for you, we have listed below your options to move:
Mutual exchanges
You can move home by applying for a mutual exchange. An exchange is the exchange of tenancies between one or more tenants under the 1985 Housing Act. Any Secure Clapton Park Management Organisation (CPMO) tenant can apply for an exchange. You cannot exchange if:
- You have rent arrears
- Serious disrepair in your property
- An introductory, non secure, or private rented tenancy
- Any live legal notices served on your tenancy for breaches of tenancy (for example a Notice Seeking Possession or a Notice to Quit)
You can apply through the Homeswapper website at https://www.homeswapper.co.uk. In addition you can download the free homeswapper app onto your device. You can also download our mutual exchange application form and submit to cpmo@hackney.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can get a copy of the form by contacting us by tel 020 8356 6300, email as above or visit the office at: 4a Gilpin Road, Hackney, E5 0HL.
Relocation
There is a Housing Moves scheme run by the Mayor of London, to help social tenants in London with a move to other boroughs. The scheme is available to victims and survivors of domestic abuse and former rough sleepers rather than social tenants more widely. To find out more and to register for the scheme visit Housing Moves.
A fresh start outside London
The fresh start scheme will help you to move outside of London into private rented accommodation or sheltered housing (age 55 and over). To join the scheme you must be a Hackney resident with a secure CPMO tenancy.
Permission to join the scheme may be refused if you are in rent arrears or have a history of antisocial behaviour. View the Fresh Start housing scheme brochure for more information.
Seaside and Country Homes scheme
Seaside & Country Homes offers people aged 55 and over that live in social housing in London the opportunity to move to bungalows and flats, managed by housing associations located mainly across the south coast but also in eastern England and the west country. For more information, view the Seaside and Country Homes scheme guide (PDF 13.1mb)
Cash incentive scheme
You maybe eligible to get paid for downsizing – households moving from properties with more bedrooms than they need may benefit from our cash incentive scheme.
Hackney Council could give you a grant and assist with removal costs if you are rehoused under this scheme. If accepted under the scheme, you will become high priority for rehousing by being placed in the urgent band. You will are able to bid for properties advertised each week under the choice based lettings scheme.
To find out if you qualify, contact us on 020 8356 6300 or cpmo@hackney.gov.uk or come into our offices at: 4a Gilpin Road, Hackney, E5 0HL. For more details about the scheme, see underoccupation cash incentive scheme (PDF 2mb)
Please note: If you currently under occupy and are looking to downsize, be aware that some social sector properties are now let under at affordable rents, which are up to 80% of market rent levels.
Due to the high levels of these rents, some households who accept these properties could be affected by the benefit cap, and have their housing benefit restricted.
Before bidding on any property, always consider whether the benefit cap applies to you and whether you can afford to cover the shortfall on the rent. Use our welfare reform tool to find out.
Transfer
Should your current home be unsuitable, you can apply for a housing transfer if you need to move from your current home to another property within the borough.
This is administered by Hackney Council; however you are able to come in if you want to make the application and or amend an existing application. You will need to meet the qualifying conditions and your housing officer can complete a form with you online. We will not be able to give you updates or tell you where you are in the process as you will need to contact Hackney Council directly on: 020 8356 3000.
