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HOUSING OPTIONS BOOKLET
HOUSING OPTIONSBOOKLET
ContentsIntroduction 1
1. Mutual Exchange 2
2. Registering with local authorities 4
3. Mobility schemes 7
4. Shared Ownership schemes/HomeBuy schemes 11
5. Private Rented Sector 12
6. Housing for Older People/ Retirement Homes and Extra Care schemes 15
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IntroductionIf you’re looking to move home there are a number of options available to you. This booklet details some of those options. It looks at six ways you can move:1. Mutual Exchange 2. Registering with your local authority 3. Mobility Schemes 4. Shared Ownership schemes/HomeBuy schemes 5. Private Rented Sector 6. Housing for Older People and Retirement homes/Extra
Care schemesHow we can helpIf you need help applying for any housing options scheme we can do the following for you:
¢ �Arrange�for�a�Housing�Officer�to�visit�you�at�home�to�do�a�housing�options visit
¢ �Provide�access�to�computers�at�our�offices,�which�you�can�use�to�search for available homes on these schemes. Our Digital Champions can�offer�support�if�you�need�help�using�computers�and�getting�online.
Contact detailsEx-AmicusHorizon resident: 0800 121 60 60 or email: [email protected]
Ex-Viridian resident: 0330 123 0220 or email: [email protected]
AmicusHorizon and Viridian merged on 22 May 2017 to become Optivo.
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Mutual Exchange
A mutual exchange is a home swap. Swapping homes means you decide which area you’d like to move to. You can swap with any social housing resident across the UK. Most of the services are free to register with online for Optivo residents.
There are four schemes we use which are free:
Swap & Movewww.swapandmove.co.uk
House Exchangewww.houseexchange.org.uk
Exchange Locatawww.exchangelocata.org.uk
Move Makerwww.movemakerapp.co.uk
You can also register on the HomeSwapper scheme. This service is free for�ex-Viridian�residents,�although�there�may�be�a�charge�if�you’re�an�ex-AmicusHorizon resident. Visit their website for more details.
HomeSwapperwww.homeswapper.co.uk
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Registering with local authorities
You can register with a local authority if you have a priority need to move. Most boroughs operate a choice based lettings (CBL) system. Once you’ve registered with a CBL borough scheme you can ‘bid’ on the homes you’re eligible for. Your bid is prioritised according to the council’s banding system.�The�borough�produces�a�shortlist�of�applicants�of�bidders,�and�the�homes�are�offered�to�the�applicant�with�the�highest�priority.
For�boroughs�which�don’t�operate�a�CBL�system,�they’ll�place�you�on�a waiting list. When a home becomes available they’ll shortlist you. All homes are allocated based on priority.
To register with the local authorities you must have:
¢ �A�local�connection�–�lived�in�the�area�for�a�minimum�of�two�-�five�years�(depending on the borough in which you live)
¢ �A�priority�need�to�move,�e.g.�overcrowding,�under�occupying�or�medical needs.
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Below is a list of all the local authorities we operate in.
Please apply to your local borough only.
KentAshford www.ashford.gov.uk Canterbury www.canterbury.gov.uk Dartford www.dartford.gov.uk Gravesham www.gravesham.gov.uk Medway www.medway.gov.uk Swale www.swale.gov.uk LondonBarnet www.barnet.gov.ukBromley www.bromley.gov.uk Camden www.camden.gov.uk Croydon www.croydon.gov.uk Ealing www.ealing.gov.ukEnfield www.enfield.gov.ukGreenwich www.greenwich.gov.uk Hackney www.hackney.gov.ukHammersmith & Fulham www.lbhf.gov.ukHaringey www.haringey.gov.ukHillingdon www.hillingdon.gov.ukLambeth www.lambeth.gov.uk Lewisham www.lewisham.gov.uk Kingston upon Thames www.kingston.gov.uk Kensington & Chelsea www.rbkc.gov.ukMerton www.merton.gov.uk Reigate & Banstead www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk Sevenoaks www.sevenoaks.gov.uk Southwark www.southwark.gov.uk Sutton www.sutton.gov.uk Tandridge www.tandridge.gov.ukTower Hamlets www.towerhamlets.gov.ukWandsworth www.wandsworth.gov.ukWestminster www.westminster.gov.uk
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MidlandsBirmingham: www.birmingham.gov.ukBromsgrove www.bromsgrove.gov.ukDaventry www.daventrydc.gov.ukEast Northamptonshire www.east-northamptonshire.gov.ukKettering www.kettering.gov.ukMilton Keynes www.milton-keynes.gov.ukNorth Warwickshire www.northwarks.gov.ukNorthampton www.northampton.gov.ukSandwell www.sandwell.gov.ukSolihull www.solihull.gov.ukWalsall www.walsall.gov.ukWarwick www.warwickdc.gov.ukWellingborough www.wellingborough.gov.ukSussexArun www.arun.gov.ukBrighton & Hove City www.brighton-hove.gov.ukEastbourne www.eastbourne.gov.uk Hastings www.hastings.gov.uk Lewes District www.lewes.gov.uk Rother District www.rother.gov.uk Worthing www.adur-worthing.gov.ukSouth West EnglandCornwall www.cornwall.gov.uk
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Mobility schemes
Housing mobility schemes enable local authority and housing association tenants to relocate from their current area to other parts of the country. We currently have three mobility schemes we use to help residents move. These are online sites for you to view available homes and place a bid on any home you’re interested in.
Housing Moves (For London residents only)Do�you�want�to�move�to�another�part�of�London?�Would�you�benefit�from�being closer to work or college? Are you looking for a smaller home? Do you�want�to�be�closer�to�family�and�friends,�maybe�to�provide�care�and�support?�If�the�answer�to�any�of�these�questions�is�yes,�then�Housing�Moves scheme could be just what you need.
Housing�Moves�is�a�mobility�scheme�introduced�by�The�Mayor�of�London,�to help residents to move home within London.
To apply for the schemePlease register on www.housingmoves.org. For more information about the scheme please see the FAQs on the website or contact the London Lettings Team on 0800 121 60 60 (ex-AmicusHorizon residents) or 0330 123 0220 (ex-Virdian residents).
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Homefinder UK Homefinder�UK�is�an�easy�to�use,�online�service�for�social�housing�tenants�who would like to move to another area within the UK. Homefinder�UK�allows�you�to�access�vacant�properties�provided�by�a range of social landlords. This scheme is open to all social housing tenants,�as�well�as�adult�members�of�the�household�who�do�not�hold�a�tenancy.
To apply for the scheme Please register on www.homefinderuk.org. For more information about�the�scheme�please�see�the�FAQs�on�the�website,�or�contact�us�on�0800 121 60 60 (ex-AmicusHorizon residents) or 0330 123 0220 (ex-Viridian residents).
To�be�eligible�for�Housing�Moves�and�Homefinder�UK�you�must:� 1) Have a clear rent account 2) Have no record of anti-social behaviour (ASB) 3) Not be on a Starter Tenancy (for Housing Moves only) 4) Be willing to move out of the borough
Home Direct (for Midlands only)Home�Direct�is�a�scheme�to�help�you�find�a�property�for�rent,�sale�or�Shared Ownership.
Who can use the serviceAnyone who has been accepted onto the Homes Direct Housing Register is able to use the service. To apply to join the Housing Register you must be over 16 years of age. You will need to complete an application online. The application enables you to apply for housing association rented homes,�homes�for�Shared�Ownership�and�homes�for�sale.�To�apply�for�the�scheme please register on www.homesdirect.org.uk. You’ll also be able to see FAQs on this website.
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Seaside & Country Homes Seaside & Country Homes is a housing mobility scheme targeted at older households. It helps residents move to the coast�or�countryside.�There’s�over�3,000�one�and�two�bed�bungalows�and�flats�available�on�this�scheme.�Homes span from Cornwall in the South West to Lincolnshire in the East.
How it worksSeaside & Country Homes administer all applications and match residents to their preferred homes. They’ll contact you when a suitable home becomes�available,�and�priority�is�given�to�residents�downsizing.�
To be eligibleThe lead applicant must be at least 60 years of age and a social housing tenant in London. Applicants must be free of rent arrears and have no history of anti-social behaviour.
If�you�are�interested�and�want�to�apply,�you�can�download�an�application�pack or register online at www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/ housing-and-land/renting/seaside-country-homes or www.housingmoves.org�Alternatively�you�can�pick�up�a�pack�from�us,�your�local�council�office�or�call�08450 212020.
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Shared Ownership schemes/HomeBuy schemes
For�some�people,�the�desire�to�move�might�be�linked�to�becoming�a�home�owner. Shared Ownership means buying a new or existing home from a housing association. You can buy the maximum share in the property that you�can�afford�(minimum�requirement�of�25%)�by�raising�a�mortgage�or�with a cash lump sum if you have savings or inherit some money. You pay subsidised rent on the remaining share. You can buy additional shares as�and�when�you�can�afford�to�do�so,�until�you�own�100%.�This�is�called�staircasing.
The Government has created the Help to Buy scheme to help you take your�first�steps�into�home�ownership.�There�are�a�number�of�Help�to�Buy�products,�including�Help�to�Buy:�Shared�Ownership.�These�schemes�are�designed�to�make�buying�a�home�more�affordable.�You�can�also�view�the�affordable�rented�home�they�offer.�These�properties�are�available�at�less�than�the�market�rent,�allowing�you�to�save�for�a�future�deposit.�
The income cap for eligibility for these schemes is a gross household income�of�no�more�than�£90,000�per�annum�in�London�and�£80,000�outside of London.
What do you need to do?Contact our Home Ownership Team on 0800 121 60 60 (ex-AmicusHorizon residents) or 0330 123 0220 (ex-Viridian residents) or visit our Homes for Sales page on the Optivo website: www.optivo.org.uk
Register with the Government’s HomeBuy scheme on www.helptobuy.gov.uk.�This�scheme�is�for�first�time�buyers�and�people�who don’t currently own a home. There’s a dedicated section for people looking for homes in London www.sharetobuy.com/firststeps.
Home Buyer Schemes and OptionsThe�Government�have�schemes�or�options�for�first�time�buyers� with�incomes�below�£60,000.�This�is�helping�people�get�onto�the� property ladder. For more information visit: www.homebuyservice.co.uk/homebuy-options
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Private Rented Sector
Another option for moving home is to rent in the private sector. This is generally more expensive than social housing but is in greater supply. You’ll probably be able to move quicker.
What is it?Private Rented Sector (PRS) is housing that is rented out as a business. A private sector landlord can be one person or a large company.
How does it work?Just�like�in�social�housing,�when�you�move�into�your�new�home�you’ll�get a tenancy agreement. This is normally an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). This gives you a legal right to occupy a property for an agreed period of time.
How do I find a PRS home?All local councils can give advice on renting in the private sector. If you’re interested you can contact their housing advice team for more details. Lettings agencies are another option. But remember to check their charges for using their services and if there are any other costs.
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Housing for Older People/Retirement homes and Extra Care schemes
We’ve�a�number�of�housing�schemes�specifically�designed�for�older�people.�These�comprise�one�or�two�bedroom�flats�and�some�studio�flats,�in a safe living environment.
We also have Extra Care accommodation. Extra Care provides 24 hour care and support packages tailored to the needs of the individual. Some residents�may�need�considerable�care�and�support,�others�little�or�none.�As�residents’�needs�change,�the�care�provided�changes�with�them.�Extra�Care�really�is�a�flexible�system.
To apply for these schemes please register with your local authority.
We�provide�Extra�Care�schemes�in�Kent�and�Sussex�and�we�offer�Extra�Care homes for both rent and Shared Ownership sale.
For more information visit www.optivo.org.uk
The Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) website also lists available housing for older people: www.eac.org.uk
Our�Digital�Champions�can�offer�support�if�you�need�help�using�computers and getting online.
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