Move into a smaller property with a cash incentive (Downsizing)
We can help any Havering Council permanent tenant or Housing Association tenant in Havering, who is living in a home that is too big for them, and wants to move to a smaller dwelling.
Depending on the circumstances, this could even be to another borough.
If you do downsize, you keep the same type of tenancy as you currently have.
The following groups are excluded.
- Succession cases.
- Management transfer cases.
- Left in occupation cases.
- Downsizing through fixed term tenancy cases.
- Mutual exchange cases
We can give you money to downsize
We offer a financial incentive for council tenants to downsize by moving into smaller accommodation.
The amount we give depends on how many bedrooms you have downsized by.
£1,000 is offered for the first bedroom you give up, and £500 for every extra bedroom given up thereafter.
Up to £500 is also given towards the cost of moving home.
| Move from | Move to | What you get | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four beds | Three beds | £1000 | Up to £500 towards moving costs |
| Four beds | Two beds | £1500 | Up to £500 towards moving costs |
| Four beds | One bed / studio | £2000 | Up to £500 towards moving costs |
| Three beds | Two beds | £1000 | Up to £500 towards moving costs |
| Three beds | One bed / studio | £1500 | Up to £500 towards moving costs |
| Two beds | One bed / studio | £1000 | Up to £500 towards moving costs |
Benefits of downsizing
- Easier to clean and manage.
- Lower rent, council tax, and heating bills.
- Fewer stairs or a home on one floor for medical reasons.
- Fewer bedrooms if children have moved away.
Ways to downsize
There are different ways that you could downsize to a smaller home, depending on your circumstances.
- Apply for a transfer as an 'under-occupier'. You will have a higher priority on the transfer list.
- Swap homes with a family who need a larger home through a mutual exchange. More people get the home they want by swapping rather than through the transfer list. You can choose where you want to move to and the process is a lot quicker.
- If you're over 55, you can apply for sheltered accommodation.
- If you're over 55 in social housing, you can apply for the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme.
- The Homefinder UK scheme advertises affordable homes both in London and the whole of the UK.
Beat the ‘Bedroom Tax’
If you get Universal Credit / Housing Benefit, have more bedrooms than are allowed under government rules, and you are of working age, your benefit will not be enough to pay all your rent.
This is known as the bedroom tax.
If you move to a smaller home that meets the rules, the tax will no longer apply.
If you receive pension credit, you will not be affected by the bedroom tax.
You can be exempted from the bedroom tax on your first spare room and get council help with paying it on a second room if you become a foster carer.
For further information, please contact your Housing Officer.
How to apply to downsize
Please use our 'Ask Housing' contact form to make your enquiry to us about downsizing. Select 'downsizing' from the dropdown list when asked what your enquiry is about.
Use our Ask Housing contact form to ask about downsizing to a smaller property
Please note, the Housing contact form is for downsizing enquiries only. If you wish to apply to downsize your property, you will need to apply to join the housing register.
You can also email housingneeds@havering.gov.uk to talk through your options.