You may be waiting many years before bidding successfully for a property through Choice Based Lettings. You may therefore want to think about other housing options available to you. The Housing Solutions Service (HSS) may be able to suggest alternative solutions to resolve your housing situation more quickly such as;
- Assisting you to find your own private rented flat within London as well as outside London (this could save you time waiting for a social rented property).
- If your housing benefit has reduced as a result of the housing benefit caps. We could give you advice and information on the options available to you.
- If you are working and interested in buying your home. We can provide information about low cost Home Ownership opportunities.
You may also want to consider moving via one of the following Schemes to help you become settled sooner (please note that some Schemes are for those already in social housing);
Homefinder UK has properties across London and the UK and Westminster tenants and households in temporary accommodation can bid for them online. The scheme helps people find a home to match their household size as well as personal and financial circumstances. For more information about Homefinder UK please visit www.homefinderuk.org.
House Exchange Social housing tenants registered with HomeFinder UK (above) will also be able to see advertisements from other tenants across London and the UK who want to swap homes.
There are several Mutual Exchange schemes available for social housing tenants to exchange or swap properties. Homeswapper is the UK's largest service helping tenants of social landlords to swap homes. Some services charge a registration fee but Westminster Council tenants can register for free. There are some restrictions on swapping and you must get permission from your landlord before going ahead with your swap. For more information contact your local estate office/landlord or to register visit www.homeswapper.co.uk.
All successful applicants will be given a 12 month starter tenancy followed by a fixed term tenancy with the exception of existing assured or secure social housing tenants (on or prior 1st April 2012) who will be given an assured tenancy.
These properties are available for all priority applicants.
Housingmoves is the Mayor of London's housing mobility scheme that helps tenants of London boroughs or housing associations to move outside their existing borough to a different part of London. It is run by the Greater London Authority and all Council tenants and Registered Provider tenants can apply, as long as they have a secure or assured tenancy.
Priority is given to;
- People who have more bedrooms than they need and want to downsize
- People in work or training
- People who want to move to give care.
To find out more or to register visit www.housingmoves.org
The Mayor of London also runs a scheme called Seaside & Country Homes. If you are aged 55 or older and you wish to move to a home outside of London then you may be interested in this scheme. Please remember this scheme does not guarantee you a move and priority is given to tenants who are giving up larger sized properties. You can find out more about Seaside & Country Homes by visiting the following website;