Transfers

As of 1st January 2010 if you are a protected tenant when you transfer your rent will reflect the current Assured rent level for the new property. The other protected rights will be uneffected.

Tenants with Protected or Assured tenancies may apply to transfer to another property if the current property no longer meets their needs. There are some conditions of transfer which are listed below:

  • No rent arrears
  • The current property is in good condition
  • You have a specific need (for example, overcrowding or health problems)
  • To move to a house that has the same number of bedrooms you must be Gold member

You must complete a transfer application form and, if applying for a transfer due to health reasons you must complete a medical form.

Telephone us on 01634 565333 to get the forms sent to you by post or click on the link to download an Transfer Application form.

Once you have applied for a transfer your Housing Officer will visit you to review your application and carryout an property inspection.

If you are accepted for a transfer we won't be able to tell you how long you will have to wait to move. The length of time you will wait will depend on how many properties become available in your chosen areas, the type of property you are requesting and how many people are on our waiting list for the same type of property in the same area. By choosing more areas you will increase your chances of moving because there will be more properties that we can consider.

 

Kent Homechoice

You can also register with Kent Home Choice to bid for properties which are advertised.

The advantages of using Kent Homechoice for you will be that

  • You will have the opportunity to move, within the Medway area.
  • You can choose exactly what properties you would like to apply for.

When properties are advertised it will be highlighted if the property is available for either transfer, Homechoice applicants or both.

 

What happens after I apply?

street imageEvery fortnight Kent Homechoice will advertise all empty council and housing association homes that are available to let. Properties will be advertised on the internet and through a freesheet.

You can look at the adverts and bid for any homes you wish to be considered for. This guide provides a summary of who can bid and how to bid. You will need to be registered for housing with Medway Council.

Councils and housing associations in Kent Homechoice will generally only let empty properties to people who have made an expression of interest through Kent Homechoice. It also gives you a better idea of the properties available in your area. You can also see feedback on lettings and average waiting times.

Four steps to a new home

Step 1 – Membership You are automatically a member of Kent Homechoice if you are accepted onto Medway Council housing register including mhs homes transfer list. If you are not on either of these list you will need to register. Step 2 – Registration

Once you have applied and been accepted onto the register you will be registered on the Kent Homechoice scheme and given a unique Homechoice number

Step 3 – Bidding

You can see the available properties on the Kent Homechoice website, or in the two-weekly Kent Homechoice property freesheet. If you find a property that you would like, you can express an interest in it as long as you are eligible. This is knows as placing a bid. You can express an interest in up to three properties (so long as you are eligible to be considered for them). You will be able to bid from 9:00am Monday to 12 noon the following Monday. The adverts give you information about each property available for letting and a photograph will be included if available. You can bid in various ways

  • On the internet at http://www.kenthomechoice.org.uk/
  • By telephone call 09062940020
  • By coupon which will be sent to you with your registration pack
  • By text message 07781472726
  • In person at the Council Offices
  • Digital TV if you are a subscriber to Sky, Virgin Media, Interactive Freeview box.

Need help bidding?

 

Bedroom Release Scheme

If you are living in a property which is too big for you to manage, you could apply to move as an 'underoccupier'.

Our Bedroom Release scheme could help you move to a smaller, more manageable home and offer you a cash incentive, plus financial help with your move. We will be able to give you help or advice on removals and many other issues associated with moving.

As an under occupier you will have a higher priority on the transfer list and if you are aged over 55, you can apply for sheltered accommodation or a bungalow.

We will offer help with and/or advice on:

  • removals
  • clearing your property of unwanted furniture and carpets

In addition:

  • you will receive £500 for every spare bedroom you give up (subject to you having a clear rent account).
  • £600 as a moving grant
  • £500 if you move to a sheltered scheme

You can download a copy of our Under occupation leaflet by clicking on the link Under Occupation leaflet.

 

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