Housing options
There are a number of rehousing services available to help you find a new home. The more services you try, the more likely you are to find new home.
If you need any help with any of these services email us at [email protected] or call 0300 123 9966.
Mutual exchange
A mutual exchange is when you swap your property with another social housing tenant. They can be from One Housing, another housing association or a local authority. Swapping by mutual exchange is a great way to move to a home you have chosen for yourself.
As a One Housing resident who is on a secure, assured or fixed-term tenancy, it is free for you to sign up to www.homeswapper.co.uk and www.houseexchange.org.uk.
You must get permission before you swap homes and there are certain rules that apply. You should be looking for a home that meets your needs and One Housing may refuse an exchange if it means you’ll be under occupying or overcrowded.
Local Authority
You can contact your local council's housing office to apply for a tenancy transfer but they will have a long waiting list. You will be asked to fill in a form or register online. They will assess your needs according to their own policies and may offer you advice about your rehousing options.
Use the www.gov.uk local council search to find details of your local council.
Internal transfers
To register for a transfer to another One Housing property you must hold a secure or assured tenancy and have occupied your property for at least one year. You will need to complete a One Housing transfer application form, supply relevant documentation and a medical assessment form, if required. For more information on this and to access the forms please contact us via email at [email protected] or call us on 0300 123 9966.
Once we receive your application, we will assess it and place it into a band in accordance with your housing need. We will also give you a PIN and ID number to “bid” for properties under our Choice Based Lettings transfer scheme.
If you are a registered transfer applicant, please log in to the Home Connections website at https://onehousing.homeconnections.org.uk/ and check for available properties.
We give priority to those people who have been on the list the longest, those with serious medical conditions affected by their housing or those at serious risk. We therefore recommend you also consider the rehousing options outlined below.
Housing Moves
Housing Moves is a scheme run by the Greater London Authority that allows social housing tenants in London to move to another London borough. If you want to move to a different part of London, this scheme may suit you.
Nearly all councils and many housing associations in London contribute homes to the scheme throughout the year. These are advertised on the Housing Moves website and applicants can bid for those that they are interested in. Priority is given to households with more or fewer bedrooms than they need, those in work, and those providing care to a relative or friend.
For more information and to register, visit www.housingmoves.org.
Seaside & Country Homes
If you are a social housing tenant aged 55 or older and you would like to move to a home outside of London, you may be interested in the Mayor’s other housing mobility scheme, Seaside and Country Homes.
The scheme helps more than 200 households move from London each year to bungalows or flats in desirable seaside and countryside locations. It is open to people living in council or housing association properties in London where at least one member of the household is aged 55 or above.
For more information visit www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/renting/seaside-country-homes
Homefinder UK
Homefinder UK is a national housing mobility scheme that offers housing opportunities to social housing tenants and households. You can search for adverts for properties all over the UK, including London. It is a bidding scheme and you can register by visiting www.homefinderuk.org.