Smart Move

Support for tenants of social housing to downsize to a smaller property

If you rent your home from a housing association and you have more bedrooms than you need, we might be able to help. Hart has introduced a rightsizing scheme which can support you to move to a smaller home which is the right size and right type for your current needs and lifestyle.

People may choose to move to a smaller property for all sorts of reasons. It can be an opportunity to make some changes to:  

• reduce household bills and heating costs  

• move to a home that’s easier to clean and maintain

• move to a home which better meets your health or mobility needs because you’re finding it harder to get around your home safely

• move closer to family support or nearer to shops and facilities

• move from your current home which has adaptations because your household no longer requires them

• find a new home where you feel safe and comfortable.

If you decide that it’s the right time to move, you’ll also be helping a family on the Housing Register to find a home which offers the space that they need.

The right home can make life easier - Smart Move is here to help you find it. 

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for support through Smart Move if you meet the following criteria:

• you are currently living in a home within Hart that you rent from a housing association

• you live in a family home that has two bedrooms or more, and you’d like to move to a smaller home which has at least one bedroom less than your current home

• you are registered on the Hart Housing Register. Support can be provided to help you register if needed

• your current property is your main home and will be available for re-let if you move to a new home

• you have kept to the conditions of your current tenancy, including paying your rent. Applicants with rent arrears may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Full eligibility criteria can be discussed by contacting the Housing team. 

What support and incentives are available?

To make your move less stressful, and to help with the financial costs of a move, Smart Move can provide:  

• cash payment when you move of up to £5,500 (depending on the size and type of your current and new property and scheme criteria) which you can use to help you settle into your new home 

• contribute to your removal costs

• practical support to help you move, provided through Citizens Advice Hart. This could include help with completing forms, updating utilities, arranging removals and providing guidance and support throughout the moving process

• help to join the housing register and support to apply for advertised properties which meet your needs and preferences

• increased priority on the Hart Housing Register to help you to find your new home 

Where could I move to?

Smart Move allows you to move to another housing association owned home within the Hart district which may be owned by your current landlord or another housing association. You may also be eligible for support when moving to a new home that’s not owned by a housing association if agreed on a case-by-case basis.

Support through Smart Move is available if any property that you move to has at least one bedroom fewer than your current home, meaning that you can still have a spare bedroom for family and friends to stay when they visit.    

How do I apply or find out more?

Talking to us won’t commit you to anything. You’re welcome to make contact for a friendly conversation about your needs, and we can discuss whether you’re eligible and how Smart Move could support you to move if you wish to do so.  

We can also talk you through the application process if you wish to proceed.  

You can call at: 01252 774295 or email at: smartmove@hart.gov.uk

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