Transfers
 Applying for a transfer within Southwark
If you are a Southwark council or housing association tenant and want to move to another council, housing association or housing cooperative home within Southwark, you must first complete a housing application form. You must have lived in your current property for one year or more to be eligible to do this.
You can collect a form from your Area Housing Office or from the Homesearch centre at 25 Bournemouth Road. Alternatively, you may download a housing list application form (pdf 1.74 Mb).
Once completed, you should hand your form in at the Homesearch centre. You will need to call us on the 020 7525 5950 to make an appointment first so that your form and supporting documents can be checked by our registrations team.
Getting a transfer
Once you are registered on the housing list, you may apply for your new home through our Homesearch scheme. Registered applicants are placed in priority bands one, two, three or four, depending on their circumstances. You will receive a letter informing you of your priority band. Letting Southwark homes (pdf 635kb) provides information about what kind of circumstances we award higher priority to.
Housing associations
When you apply for a transfer through Homesearch, you may wish to consider moving to a housing association property. You can bid for these on the Homesearch scheme. If you are an existing housing association tenant, you can also contact your landlord and ask if they have a transfer list you can apply to go on. If you are a council tenant and you are successful in your application to a housing association property, they will become your new landlord when you move and you will most likely be given an assured tenancy.
Housing cooperatives and Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs)
When you apply for a transfer through Homesearch, you may wish to consider moving to a housing cooperative or a Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) property. You can apply for these through the Homesearch scheme. You will be able to identify these properties by the logo next to the property in the magazine or on the website. You will still be a secure tenant with the same rights as other council tenants.
If you choose to live on a tenant managed estate, you will have the opportunity to play an active role in managing the estate. Before signing up as a tenant you will be required to purchase a share, as a way of showing your commitment to tenant management. Your share will cost between 10p and £2, (depending on the TMO). This will enable you to have a say in how the estate is managed.
When you view the property you may be invited to an interview with members of the TMO committee who will discuss with you how you can contribute. There are many ways of doing this. Being part of a TMO gives residents a real opportunity to shape the way services are delivered and to get to know their neighbours.
Moving to a smaller property
If you are a council or housing association tenant and have more bedrooms than you need, perhaps because your family have grown up and moved away, we are really keen to help you to move to a smaller home of your choice through our Small is Beautiful scheme. To apply for this scheme, you must be registered on the transfer list as above. You can then ask to be put on the Small is Beautiful scheme where you
- will be given Band 1 priority to move to your new home
- will receive £750 for each bedroom you are giving up*
- will receive a decoration grant of £750 or more to help decorate your new home*
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION UPDATE
Due to the high level of demand for this scheme, the budget for the grant payments that tenants receive has now been fully used and there will be no further grant payments until further notice.
This means that you can still bid with Band 1 priority but you will not receive a grant if you move to a new home.
In April 2010 the Small is Beautiful scheme will be reviewed and further information about the availability of grants will be issued. If you are currently registered on the scheme and would like to discuss this further, please call on 020 7525 4193.
Download Small is Beautiful (pdf 299kb) for more information.
Overcrowding
If you wish to move because your current home is too small, for example because your family size has increased, you also need to apply for the transfer list as above. It is likely you will be placed in priority band 3 for a transfer if you are overcrowded, regardless of the level of overcrowding. However, due to the current shortage of larger properties, you may still face a long wait to be rehoused. It may therefore be advisable to consider all your options for rehousing.
Overcrowded and under-occupying Finders Fee Scheme
Southwark Council tenants registered on the transfer list who have been assessed by the council as either overcrowded or under-occupying their property can apply for this scheme. The scheme enables people to find suitable housing in the private sector, in any area of the United Kingdom. You will also receive a payment of up to £2,500 to help you move. You will be able to find your new home yourself, however, once you move to private accommodation, you will no longer be a council tenant.
There are limited funds for this scheme and acceptance is on a first come, first served basis. You may not apply if you have rent arrears or a history of anti-social behaviour. Contact us on the number below to find out more and how to apply.
Other options
If you wish to move away from Southwark or to increase your options to successfully move, you may also wish to consider the following
Contact us
Housing options services
Tel: 020 7525 5950
Fax: 020 7525 4088
housing.options@southwark.gov.uk
25 Bournemouth Road
London
SE15 4UJ
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (10am on Wednesdays)
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