We understand that, for many reasons, you may need to move to another home, and we aim to provide support and signposting to enable you to access a range of ways to move to another home. This includes:

• Registering for Choice Based Lettings (CBL) schemes
• Registering for a Mutual Exchange (MEX)
• Internal Transfer / Management Move

For some, the fastest and most appropriate way to secure alternative accommodation will be through Choice Based Lettings or Mutual Exchange. A management move will only be approved where no other housing solution is possible.

All households requesting a management move should also be actively seeking alternative accommodation via the relevant Choice Based lettings system and Homeswapper – the site for finding a mutual exchange.

(Support can be provided to register and bid if required.)

For some, the fastest and most appropriate way to secure alternative accommodation will be through Choice Based Lettings or Mutual Exchange. A management move will only be approved where no other housing solution is possible. To find out more about how you can swap a home through a Mutual Exchange, click here.

All households requesting a management move should also be actively seeking alternative accommodation via the relevant Choice Based lettings system and Homeswapper – the site for finding a mutual exchange.

If you are under‑occupying your home or you are over‑crowded, you may receive higher priority through your local council’s housing allocation scheme. Some local authorities offer an increased level of priority on the housing register to tenants who move to a smaller home, and some provide higher priority to those who need a larger home due to overcrowding.
ForHousing participates in these schemes, but your local council will assess your circumstances and decide the level of priority you receive. If you think this may apply to you, please speak to your Housing Officer or contact your local council’s housing options team for advice or support.

Approval will be based on individual circumstances; however, the following are some situations where an internal transfer may be approved:

• A serious fire / flood or other incident has occurred, causing significant structural damage, or where major repairs are needed, and you cannot return to your home for an extended period of time (3 months or more). Confirmation of this by our Asset Management team will be required in writing.
• Where the ForHousing adaptations team have declined an adaptation in line with the ForHousing adaptations policy & procedure, and have requested that your household is considered for relocation to a more suitable home.

If you feel you may qualify for an internal transfer, you should discuss this with your Neighbourhood Officer. They will be able to tell you whether you may qualify.

As we do not hold empty homes, even if you are approved for an internal transfer, it may be up to 12 months before a different home can be offered.

If you feel you need rehousing quickly or need to access emergency accommodation, for example where there is an immediate threat that puts you or your home at risk we would always advise that you contact your local council’s housing options team for support and assessment.

Where an internal transfer is approved, one offer of a suitable alternative home will be made, which will be based upon the information that you provide to us. So, it is important that you make sure that the information we have about your circumstances and needs is up to date.

In some circumstances, a management move may be considered if no other housing option is suitable. Find out more about when management moves apply, what to expect, and how decisions are reviewed.