Moving Home
Do you need to move?
Is your 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 HPCHA
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.
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 for a mutual exchange at your local council office, or try one of the various websites that offer a matching service. Please click here to download our Guide to Mutual Exchange.
Want to move to another area?
If you are looking to move to another area then visit www.homeswapper.co.uk - a mutual exchange website where you can register to view other properties to swap with. Alternatively you can apply with the local council of the area you want to move to, although sometmes you need a local connection for that. You can obtain more advice at www.direct.gov.uk/socialhousing
BUYING A HOME
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 HPCHA. 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 Housing Corporation website - www.housingcorp.gov.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.