Moving Home - Rosebery Housing

Here you will find information about mutual exchanges and internal transfers.

Transfers

What is a transfer?
This is when a Rosebery resident requests to move from their current home because it’s no longer suitable for them. Transfer applications will only be accepted if the resident applying:
- has lived in their home for at least one year
- does not have rent arrears before the transfer takes place
- does not have a current Notice of Seeking Possession
- is not being investigated for Anti-Social Behaviour
- has not neglected or damaged their home
- has a clear need to move to another property, such as downsizing
Where can I make a transfer application?
You will need to complete our transfer application form and we’ll then add you to our transfer list, where points will be awarded depending on your circumstances. People with the most urgent need will be given the highest priority.
Please contact us for a form.

Points will usually be given only if the location or condition of the resident’s home is causing or making worse a medical condition or disability they have. The resident must complete a medical form and their GP’s/consultants can provide additional information where needed. The medical priorities are:


Over-riding: Immediate transfer required	100 points
Serious: Where the applicants health is seriously affected by their housing condition.	20 points
Moderate: Minor health issues	5 points

Over-Crowding


2 children of opposite sex when oldest reaches 6	10 points per room
plus – points per year for each year of waiting starting when the oldest child reaches 6	2 points per year
2 children of same sex points per year starting when oldest reaches 10	2 points per year
Statutory overcrowding	10 points

Children in flats above ground floor


Without own garden until youngest child is 8 years old
1st floor	5 points
2nd floor	10 points

Other criteria


Under-occupation Per room	20 points
Time points Per year up to a maximum of 5 years	2 points
Decants to other homes because improvements are needed to be carried out by us	100 points
Management Transfer Points given in special circumstances because of serious issues connected to the resident’s home that has resulted in immediate personal risk to them if they stay there. Perpetrators of harassment, anti-social behaviour and domestic violence will not normally be housed	100 points
Discretionary points These may be given by us in certain circumstances, e.g. fostering	100 points

Are there any reasons why I would not be able to transfer to another home?
You will not be considered for a transfer for the following reasons:
- You are in rent arrears.
- You have a current Notice of Seeking Possession.
- Any other breach of tenancy.
- Your property is not in a satisfactory condition.
- The property you want to move to is too big or too small for your needs.
- The property you want to move to has been adapted and you do not have a requirement for an adaptation.
- The property you currently have is adapted and the one you want to move to is not adapted but you still require the adaptation.

Mutual exchange

What is a mutual exchange?
This is when two or more residents swap homes and tenancies. An exchange can be between two or more Rosebery residents or between a Rosebery resident and residents of another registered social landlord or local authority.
Who is allowed to apply for a mutual exchange?
Residents who have either an assured, secure or fixed term tenancy are allowed to apply. Those on starter tenancies cannot exchange, but will be allowed to once they move on to an assured tenancy. Residents with assured shorthold tenancies or other non-secured tenancies are not allowed to exchange.
Residents must have the consent of all landlords involved before the exchange can go ahead.
How do I go about finding a home to exchange with?
We provide you with free access to Homeswapper where you can register online, create your own home advert and see what other homes are available to swap to. HomeSwapper will then inform you of potential exchange partners by email or text message.
How do I apply for a mutual exchange?
Please complete the following mutual exchange form:
Mutual Exchange Form
Step 1 of 2
Your details
Applicant Name:*
Applicant Address*
Telephone:*
Email:
Please list the details of everyone who currently lives in your property (including full name, sex, date of birth and relationship to tenant)*
How many bedrooms do you have?*
How many living rooms do you have?*
Has your property been adapted for disabled use?*
If your home has been adapted, please provide details:
What type of property do you live in?*
Do you have a garden for sole use?*
Do you have a garage tenancy?*
If you do have a garage, please provide garage address:
Do you have any pets?*
If you have a pet, please provide details
Note: permission in writing must be obtained before you can keep any pets

Details of resident you wish to exchange with
Applicant Name:*
Applicant Address*
Telephone:*
Email:
Please list the details of everyone who currently lives in your property (including full name, sex, date of birth and relationship to tenant)*
How many bedrooms do you have?*
How many living rooms do you have?*
Has your property been adapted for disabled use?*
If your home has been adapted, please provide details:
What type of property do you live in?*
Do you have a garden for sole use?*
Do you have a garage tenancy?*
If you do have a garage, please provide garage address:
Do you have any pets?*
If you have a pet, please provide details
Note: permission in writing must be obtained before you can keep any pets
Is the person you wish to exchange with a tenant with Rosebery Housing Association?*
If the tenant is not a Rosebery resident, please provide details of their current landlord:
Please include name of landlord, contact name, contact telephone, email address and postal address.
If this is a 3 way swap, please provide details of the other tenant below:
Declaration
I declare the information given on this application form is true and that I have not left out any details that may affect my mutual exchange application. I undertake to notify Rosebery Housing Association of any change in circumstances which may affect the mutual exchange application. I declare that all of the persons listed on my application are currently residing at my property. I authorise Rosebery Housing Association to make any enquiries considered necessary to verify the information given in connection with this mutual exchange application. I understand that if my rent account is in arrears, my application will be refused. I understand that any of the landlords involved in the exchange has the right to take actin to repossess any property that has been obtained by providing false information.
DECLARATION: Please print name below:
CAPTCHA
What does the mutual exchange process involve and how long does it take?
All residents must ask for written permission before they can move home. We then have 42 calendar days to respond with our decision. Before agreeing to an exchange, we will check the home and confirm whether it’s in good enough condition. If we agree, residents are expected to move within three months of this decision, unless there are exceptional circumstances such as bereavement or ill health. If a resident does not move within three months, we may reconsider the application to exchange. The rent that is charged to the incoming resident will be charge to the current resident. The other resident involved in the exchange can change their mind at any point, we have no control over this.
Are there reasons that Rosebery might refuse an application?
We will not unreasonably withold consent for a mutual exchange, but sometimes this is necessary.
Reasons for refusal include:
- the resident is involved in either a court order or notice of seeking possession; or legal action has been taken against them or a member of their household because of anti-social behaviour
- the property that the resident wishes to move into is too large or too small for their needs
- the property is part of or is located within the grounds of a non-housing building; it’s part of a sheltered scheme; it has features which make it particularly suitable for people with disabilities
We’ll let the resident know our reasons for not agreeing to a mutual exchange within 42 days of receiving the request.
I have an assured tenancy, but I'm exchanging my home with a resident on a fixed term tenancy. Will I still keep my lifetime tenancy?
A resident who exchanges takes on the rights and responsibilities of the resident they exchange with, which includes accepting any change of tenancy status that may occur.

Transfers

Mutual exchange

Mutual Exchange Form

Step 1 of 2

Your details

Details of resident you wish to exchange with

Declaration