This information is for rented properties only and explains how we can help you move to a smaller property, especially if your home is too big for you and you are thinking of moving to a smaller home.

Information includes:

• mutual exchange scheme
• transfer scheme
• incentives

Mutual exchange

We encourage any tenant wanting to move to other housing, but who does not have a high priority on the transfer list to try to exchange (or swap tenancy) with another tenant. You can be one of our tenants or a tenant of another housing association or council.

Secure tenants have the statutory right to exchange tenancies, provided they have our written permission.

Assured (and assured non-shorthold) tenants don't have a statutory right to exchange tenancies, but our tenancy agreement gives the same rights to exchange as a secure tenant.

You can display a card advertising your property for a mutual exchange in our office at The Garth

In 2005 we will be computerising our mutual exchange list and will be able to identify other tenants who may like to swap with you.

Terms and conditions of exchanging tenancies

Once you have identified a suitable partner or partners for an exchange you must fill in a mutual exchange application form and return it to us.

Tenancies are usually exchanged by a Deed of Assignment

We will deal with your request to exchange within 42 days of receiving your written request.

We will only refuse permission for you to exchange under one of the grounds contained in Schedule 3 of the Housing Act 1985.

Providing the following conditions are met it is unlikely that we would refuse your request to exchange:

• you have approval in writing from us and any other landlord involved, before you move
• you are not in arrears at the time of the exchange
• you do not owe any other housing related debt to us
• your tenancy has been conducted in a satisfactory manner and there is not a Notice of Seeking Possession (NOSP) or Suspended Possession Order (SPO) currently in force
• the exchange will not result in overcrowding or underoccupation*

* one bedroom more than your family's needs would not be seen as underoccupation

If there has been a minor breach of tenancy, which you can easily correct, for example small arrears or minor damage to the property, we may give you conditional permission to exchange.

Under your tenancy agreement we maintain the structure and fittings of the property. Tenants who exchange accept the property as seen. Any damage caused by the outgoing tenant becomes the responsibility of the incoming tenant, who is liable either to carry out, or pay for the repair.

The transfer list

We would like you to have the home that best suits your needs. As these needs change you may need to move to another (smaller) property. We have a transfer policy to help you move. This system is based on points that measure your housing needs.

Terms and conditions of the transfer scheme

If you wish to transfer you should have had a minimum period of 6 months as tenant in your current property before we would normally consider a transfer request, unless there is a severe medical need or urgent need for a management transfer

• you should normally have a clear rent account and owe no other housing related debt to us at the date the transfer takes place
• you should normally have kept your tenancy satisfactorily and have kept the property in a clean and reasonable condition. If a Notice of Seeking Possession (NOSP) or a Suspended Possession Order (SPO) has been served for a breach of tenancy, and is still in force, we would not normally allow a transfer until the conditions of the NOSP or SPO have been satisfied
• it is a condition of the transfer that on leaving the property it should be in a satisfactory decorative condition, without any repairs for which you are responsible

Did you know that if you joined our transfer list and want to move to a smaller home that:

• 5-35 points are available if a medical condition is made worse by your current home
• 20 points are available for each bedroom given up when you transfer to a smaller home
• 10 points are available if you are elderly and live 'at height' (in a flat /maisonette above ground floor
• 5 points are available for each complete year of tenancy in your current home

These points should mean that you would be well placed to move (subject to the availability of properties), within a reasonable time from applying for a transfer.