Moving Home

Do you need to move?

Is your rented home too small or too big? Perhaps you need to move to a different area, or a medical problem means that your home is no longer suitable. There are several options you can consider. 

Apply for a transfer with Hightown

Applications for transfers are considered on the basis of need, and assessed using a points system. We use a choice based system to allocate transfer properties. This means that when a property becomes available for a transfer, we will send details to everyone who has been accepted on our list for that type of property in that area. If any of those people would like to be considered for the property that must 'bid' for it (by writing, emailing or phoning us). Of those who bid, the property will be offered to the applicant who has the highest points.

If you are looking for a smaller property we can give you help and support to find something suitable, and we currently have an incentive scheme which offers £750 to help people who are downsizing by at least 2 bedrooms. Click here for more information.

Click here to download the Points Criteria
Click here to download a Transfer Application Form

Apply for a transfer with your Local Authority

The local authority (or stock transfer housing association if the council has transferred its homes) has a far greater number of properties in the area than we do, and they also have access to some of the vacancies of other associations in the area. If you need to move it is very important that you register on your local authority’s waiting list as well as on ours. This will give you the best possible chance of moving.

Seek a mutual exchange  

One of the best ways of moving – particularly if you don’t have very high points or you simply don’t like where you live - is by doing a ‘mutual exchange’. This is in effect swapping tenancies with another tenant of a housing association or local authority. You can register your details on HOMESWAPPER by going to www.homeswapper.co.uk. It is free for Hightown residents - simply complete your details and look for a match. If you don't have access to a computer we can do it for you. If you live in the Dacorum area you may also wish to try www.houseexchange.co.uk however there will be a small fee. Download our leaflet Guide to Mutual Exchange.

Want to move to another area?

Homeswapper (www.homeswapper.co.uk) can help you move to another area, but you should also talk to the local authority in the area you want to move to. You may be able to join their housing register, and some local authorities keep an exchange list. They should also be able to give you information on Housing Associations in the area. Alternatively you can apply to the local council of the area you want to move to, although sometmes you need a local connection for that.  For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk/socialhousing

Buying a home

If you are you ready to buy a property, there are several options open to you even if you can’t afford the full price of a property on the open market.

HomeBuy / Shared Ownership

Click on www.hightownhomes to go to our dedicated Shared Ownership website which has full details about the latest schemes available from Hightown. Click here to read our guide to Shared Ownership. You can also visit Hertfordshires Zone Agents website at www.leavalleyhomes.co.uk

Open Market HomeBuy

This a Government-backed scheme that aims to help certain groups of people who can not afford to buy a home on the open market without assistance. A full guide about this scheme is available on the Homes and Communities Agency website - www.homesandcommunities.co.uk

Right to Buy / Right to Acquire

You may be able to buy the property you live in. It depends what kind of tenancy you have, and how your property was funded. Click here to read our leaflet, or ask your housing officer for further details.

Social HomeBuy

This is a new scheme that allows tenants who can’t afford to buy the whole of their property to buy a share of at least 25%.   A reduced rent is payable on the share that has not been bought, but continues to be rented from Hightown. Click here to read our leaflet.