If you’re a Soha tenant and want to move to a more suitable home, you can do this as a transfer or exchange. We also have a transfer incentive scheme for residents with houses that are becoming too big for them.
Am I eligible for a transfer?
You would need to have a clear rent account before you could be accepted onto your local lettings scheme.
Once you’re registered you can search for properties online and then make a bid for a property.
We work with Homechoice, the choice-based letting scheme in South & Vale, as well as letting schemes run by other local councils.
If you want to move home, you must first make an application to the lettings scheme in your area. If you need help with this, please get in touch with your local council. You can find your local council here.
If you’re moving because of exceptional circumstances (such as suffering severe harassment or domestic violence) or because you or a family member becomes disabled, we can help. Get in touch with our Neighbourhood team to explain your circumstances and include any supporting documents.
If you’re under-occupying a family-sized house (which is too big for you now), and want to move to a smaller property you may qualify for help under our transfer incentive scheme. This could mean help with your removal costs and a cash payment when you move in. Contact our Lettings team for more information.
Apply to move or transfer
If you’re a Soha tenant and want to move to a more suitable home, you can do this as a transfer.
Maybe you’ve got a new job that’s not so local, or maybe you’d like to move closer to family or friends. Whatever the reason, you can register and then look for a new home on your local council’s letting scheme, where all empty properties (including ours) are advertised.
Most councils use schemes called choice based letting schemes. This means that rather than your council deciding which properties to offer you, you can tell the council which properties you’re interested in by bidding for them.
All the bids for each property are then ranked in order of priority, and the home is offered to the bidder with the highest priority.
‘Bidding’ doesn’t actually involve any money – it’s just a way of saying that you’re interested in a particular property.
Apply to exchange
An exchange (known as a mutual exchange) is a way of swapping your home with another Soha tenant, or a tenant at a different housing association, or a council tenant.
You can apply for an exchange if:
- your rent account is clear
- there are no ASB, nuisance cases or court actions outstanding
- you’re exchanging to a suitably sized property for your needs
What do I do next?
Once you’ve found a suitable home to swap with, go to our mutual exchange page, read about the process and complete and submit the relevant form.
Our Lettings team deals with all mutual exchanges. We have a dedicated email address for everything to do with mutual exchanges. It’s exchange@soha.co.uk
Contact us for more information or help on what to do next.
Transfer incentive scheme
Is your home becoming too big for you?
If you’re getting older and your children have left home, you might want to think about downsizing to a smaller property. This can often help reduce heating bills and give you a more manageable home, perhaps nearer to your family.
Moving to a smaller home can also help you avoid the bedroom tax (or under-occupancy charge).
If you live in a family-sized home and want to move to smaller accommodation, you’ll qualify for our transfer incentive scheme and can get help with your move. We provide:
- help with removal costs, or
- a cash payment when you move in, and
- help with organising your move.
If you have outstanding rent or service charges, any cash payment will be used to help you clear your arrears.
Contact our Lettings team to find out more.