Who Can Apply for a Transfer?
If you are a tenant of the Association and you want to move to another house (a ‘transfer’) then you can apply at any time.

How are Applications for Transfer Assessed?
Your application for transfer will be awarded points based on the circumstances in your home.  Points are awarded for the following reasons:-

• Overcrowding
• Under occupation
• Medical needs
• Social need (e.g. employment needs, care needs)
• Harassment/domestic abuse
• Personal needs

The number of points you will get depends on how suitable your current accommodation is for your needs.

Your application for transfer will be placed on the list for the areas you have requested.  The more points you have, the higher your position on the lists will be.  If two or more tenants have the same number of points we will give priority to the person who applied first.  We keep applications for transfer on a separate list from applications from people who are applying to go on our waiting list.  This means that your application for transfer will be assessed against other tenants in similar circumstances.

Please note that if you are in rent arrears, owe any other money to the Association or have a poor tenancy record you will not normally be offered another house until those things are sorted out or you are maintaining an arrangement to repay.

Will I Need to Provide Any More Details?
If you are applying to transfer on medical or social grounds or to escape harassment, you will need to provide support for your application.  This could be a letter or form from your doctor, from your employer or from another agency like the Social Work Department or Police, etc.
 
Where Can I Move To?
Our housing stock is divided up into areas and you can pick up to five areas where you would like to live.  There is no limit to the number of house types you can choose, but remember that if you want to move for medical reasons only certain types of houses may be suitable for you.

The size of house you can apply for depends on the size of you family.  Normally we allow for the following:-

• Each couple or adult
  (persons over 16)
• Two children of the same
  sex under 16
• Two children of the
  opposite sex both under 8
• Each child between 8 and
  16 who would otherwise
  have to share with someone
  of the opposite sex
  (this is for guidance only)

Offers of Transfer
It is very difficult to say how quickly you may get an offer of a transfer.  This depends on how many points you have, the number of other tenants on the transfer list and the number of houses that become available.

A Housing Officer will normally visit you before you receive an offer of a transfer.  The reason for this visit is to check your circumstances and to check that your house is up to standard.  We make offers of transfer in writing and you will be invited to view the house you are being offered with a Housing Officer.

If you refuse two offers of transfer which are suitable for your needs, you will not be offered another house for two years.

Mutual Exchanges
You can exchange (swap) houses with other tenants as long as certain conditions are met.  You can exchange with other tenants of the Association or with tenants of any other landlord if that landlord agrees. Exchanges involving more than two tenants (3-way or multiple exchanges) may also be allowed.
The main conditions for exchanges are:-

• That all tenants have clear rent accounts
• That all tenants have satisfactory tenancy records
• That the houses involved are the right size, right type, etc for the people who will be moving into them

Remember if you are interested in an exchange you should not move until you have permission.

If you want to apply for an exchange please ask your Area Office for an Application Form

The “HOMES” Scheme
The Association is a member of the HOMES scheme.  This scheme tries to help tenants who need to move to another part of the country for a good reason, for example, to start a new job or to look after a relative.  Under the scheme the Association can nominate its tenants who need to move to other landlords in other areas.  From time to time the Association also allocates houses to tenants who have been nominated by other landlords under the scheme.

If you need to move to a different area and want the Association to try to help you get a move, please speak to your Housing Officer.

Help With Buying a House
The Association may take part in schemes to help tenants buy alternative houses on the open market.  Taking part in these schemes help us to free up houses which we can then allocate to people who need them.  Ask your Area Office for details of any schemes or keep an eye on the Newsletter for details.

Giving Up Your Tenancy
If you want to end your tenancy you have to give us at least 28 days ‘notice’.  You must do this in writing – either by sending us a letter or filling in a form which you can get from any Association office.  Your husband or wife, or any joint tenant, must also sign to show that they agree that the tenancy should be given up.

You will have to pay rent up to the end of the 28 day notice period even if you actually move before then.  When you move you should return all your keys in to your Area Office.  You should leave your house clean and tidy and remove all furniture and other belongings.  We will dispose of any items you leave and charge you for it.  You can also be charged for the costs of any work needed to bring the house up to standard for letting to another tenant.  We will try to visit you during your 28 day notice period to identify any work which you might have to do before you leave or might have to pay for.
 
Transferring Your Tenancy
If you are leaving your house or moving away, e.g. to a new job, and you would like someone to stay on in the house then you can apply to transfer your tenancy to them.  You must always ask our permission to do this.  The person who wants to have the tenancy must be at least 16 years old.  For more information about our policy in transferring tenancies contact your Area Office.