Other Options and Moving On
With demand for social housing far outstripping supply in Tower Hamlets, there are a number of schemes which seek to relieve the pressure on waiting lists by offering alternative options for some residents.
The nationwide HomeSwapper scheme offers residents in social housing the chance to swap (or mutually exchange) with over 200,000 registered social tenants from across the country. Registration is free for EastendHomes tenants. For more information see the HomeSwapper website, or speak with our Lettings Team who can help you to register.
EastendHomes have also teamed up with House Exchange, offering you a way of getting in touch with other tenants looking to swap their homes.
To get involved, visit houseexchange.org.uk and follow 3 easy registration steps. Make sure you have the following details ready:
- Name and contact details
- Current address, property information and landlord
- An idea of where you want to move to and what you are looking for
Once your account has been activated, log in with your username and password to access the website and begin your House Exchange Journey. New customers join on a daily basis so check in regularly and you will be sure to find someone to swap with.
Once you have found a property you are interested in and agreed on a mutual exchange with the other tenant, you can then contact your landlord to ask for permission to swap. You will not be able to move without this permission.
For further information on mutual exchange, contact our Lettings Team.
The Seaside & Country Homes scheme allows social housing tenants living in Greater London to move to properties in rural or seaside locations. To qualify, the eldest member of your household must be at least 55 years old. Visit the Seaside & Country Homes website or contact our Lettings Team for more information.
Various schemes are available to assist social housing tenants with taking the First Steps towards home ownership. Details of the help available are available on the First Steps website, or speak to a member of our Lettings Team for more information.
Housingmoves – the Mayor of London’s housing mobility scheme for Londoners who are tenants of London Boroughs or Housing Associations and want to move to another London Borough. Applicants can register their interest by visiting www.housingmoves.org or if they do not have access to a computer EastendHomes can register their details for them. To find out more call the Lettings Team or call into your Local Community Housing Centre.
Share to Buy is the official intermediate housing programme from the Mayor of London helping low and modest income Londoners to buy or rent at a price they can afford. On this site you can find all eligible properties in one place. The new property portal will be delivered in partnership with Share to Buy at www.sharetobuy.com. This site will continue to be the only website to list all of the homes available in London and provide you with the information you need to help you find the right home.
Help to Buy Scheme full details can be found by visiting www.helptobuy.org.uk. In summary Help to Buy is made up of two schemes – “equity loan” where the Government will loan you up to 20% of the value of your new build home and “mortgage guarantee” where lenders will be incentivised to make more mortgages available for people with small deposits.
Intermediate Housing Register: If you have a local connection to Tower Hamlets (residential or working) you may be eligible to join the Intermediate Housing Register. This can give a solution if you can't access social rent housing, with two broad categories: affordable home ownership and intermediate rents (rented homes at a level between social rent and private rent).
Visit www.thhs.org.uk/content/HousingOptions/IntermediateHousingRegister for more details.
Affordable Rent: Changes to Government policy has meant that many Housing Associations also advertise and let property at an affordable higher rent level. Please check the Homeseekers website www.thhs.org.uk for further details.