Transfers and Mutual Exchanges
Transfers
If you are a tenant of Stoke on Trent Housing Society and your home no longer fits your needs, there are alternative housing options and support available.
Under Occupation – living in a home that is too big for you and your family can mean additional costs, including heating (gas, electric), general cleaning, and council tax. If you are funding your rent payments through benefits (Housing Benefit or Universal Credit), you could also have your rent benefit payment reduced by 14% for under occupying one bedroom and 25% for under occupying two bedrooms.
Overcrowding – if you overcrowded in your home, you may be experiencing things like loss of privacy, increased conflict in your household and there may also be adverse effects on physical and mental health.
Medical Reasons – your health may have changed since moving into your home and you may need to move to a home that is more suitable, for instance a property with no stairs.
It’s best that you contact us first to discuss why you need to move and we’ll advise you if you meet the criteria as per our ALLOCATION POLICY
Before we authorise any transfer, we’ll need to inspect your home to ensure that it’s tidy and in a good state of repair. If there’s any evidence of unsatisfactory conduct and you are in breach of your tenancy agreement, we won’t be able to authorise a transfer until you have put things right.
Email info@stokeontrenthousingsociety.org.uk or call us on 01782 968566 if you would like to discuss a transfer. Alternatively, we may be able to help you apply for housing with other social housing providers in the city.
Mutual Exchanges
If you want to swap your home with another tenant from Stoke on Trent Housing Society or a tenant from another Registered Social Landlord or Local Authority, you can look for a Mutual Exchange.
There are several websites where you can advertise your home and search for other tenants to swap with:
Some websites will charge for this service so speak to us first as we will pay this charge for you. There are also exchange sites available via social media, however we would advise you to be careful before exchanging any information on any social media sites.
Before you look or apply for a mutual exchange please bear in mind that a mutual exchange will be permitted only where:
* Both parties have conducted their tenancies in a satisfactory manner – that means no rent arrears
* No under occupying – we use the criteria from the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to assess this
* The property must be in a satisfactory decorative condition and without any outstanding repairs that are the tenant’s responsibility
Permission to exchange won’t normally be granted in the following circumstances:
– A ‘live’ legal notice has been served on the applicant by the landlord
– In exceptional circumstances where we are advised by the police or other relevant agency that the exchange would not be reasonable or advisable on the grounds of community safety
Once you have found someone to exchange with you’ll need to complete a MUTUAL EXCHANGE APPLICATION FORM. If you would like us to send you a copy of the form email info@stokeontrenthousingsociety.org.uk or call 01782 968566 to request a form.