Options for Council tenants

The following information is for Council tenants who may be thinking about their options for moving house.

I want to move house, what options do I have?

You may want to move to a different home for a number of reasons, for example:

  • your home is too small
  • your home is too big
  • you home is too far away from relatives or friends
  • you are too far away from your place of work.

Unfortunately, the Council cannot help everyone who would like to move house, but there are ways that you can move house without going on the Council's Housing Register. 

Your options include:

  • Mutual exchange scheme: a quick and easy way to move by swapping your home with another tenant. You can swap with Council tenants or housing association tenants as long as you get permission from each tenant's landlord.
  • Right to Buy: you may be eligible to buy your property from the Council.
  • Shared ownership and New Build Homebuy:  schemes where you can part buy and part rent a home.
  • Keyworker Living: Help for key workers living in the South East of England to buy a home, upgrade to a family home or rent a home at an affordable price.

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How do I go on the Council's Housing Register for a transfer?

You can go on the Council's Housing Register at any time. You must complete a Housing Register application form and return it to us. You can also get an application form by going to your local neighbourhood Office or contact us for more information.

Before the Council makes you an offer from the Housing Register, you must:

  • have a rent account free from rent arrears for at least six months
  • make sure your home is in good decorative order.

The Housing Needs team may not be able to offer you a move straight away because moves are used to help those in the most need first.

If the Council assess that you are adequately housed at the moment you are unlikely to be offered another property as priority goes to those in the most need. You will still be able to go on the Housing Register.

You may be offered a move on exceptional grounds, for example:

  • to allow major repair work to be done on your home
  • if you are suffering from serious racial harassment
  • to help the Council manage its housing stock.

You will only be made one offer and it will be for a property of a similar size to your current home.

It is not our policy to move tenants who complain of nuisance from their neighbours. Instead, we try to resolve the problem with your help as a witness.

If you think your home is having an adverse effect on you or your family's health, please contact us to discuss your concerns.

You may be asked to fill in a medical form. Once the form is completed the Council's medical advisor will contact your doctor and will decide if you should receive additional medical points to move. If you are given a move you will normally be moved to a property of a similar type to your present home.

Your rent account should be clear from arrears for three months.

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Can I be nominated for a housing association property?

The Council does not distinguish between Council homes and housing association homes when offering you a vacancy. Once your turn is reached you will be offered a suitable property whether it is a Council home or a housing association home and you will be contacted by the Council with the offer.

Housing associations charge similar rents to those you would pay as a Council tenant.

Housing association tenants also:

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Contact us

If you would like an application form or more information, please contact the Housing Needs team on 01483 743833 or email: housingneeds@woking.gov.uk