Council tenant?
 Housing association tenant?

Council tenants

The Council Tenant Transfer Queue is open to existing secure and introductory tenants of the council who are seeking to move to alternative accommodation. Any tenant of the council can apply for a transfer but priority is given to people with a medical condition, those who are overcrowded and those with spare rooms who are willing to move to smaller accommodation. The booklet 'Applying for a Transfer' (pdf) explains how applications are prioritised.

If you have at least one spare bedroom and would like to move to a smaller home, you may be eligible for priority, practical assistance and generous financial assistance under the Room to Move scheme.

If you are a secure tenant, you may also wish to consider a mutual exchange i.e. swapping your home with another council or housing association tenant anywhere in the UK (Note: introductory tenants cannot apply for this scheme). If you swap your property for an overcrowded Wandsworth council tenant 's smaller property, you may qualify for payment under the Room to Move scheme. You will receive full payment where the exchange is a 'perfect fit' i.e. it results in both you and the tenant you exchange with occupying properties which you would be entitled to under the council's Allocation scheme. However, the mutual exchange scheme allows you to move to a property where you still have one spare room. If you do this, you will be entitled to the same payment you would have achieved should the exchange have been a 'perfect fit'.

Alternatively, if you want to move out of Wandsworth or out of London, you may be eligible for assistance under the Out of London Scheme (also known as the LAWN Scheme) or the Seaside and Country Home Scheme.

If you are interested in buying a home, the council's Home Ownership Unit may be able to help you buy, or part-buy, a property.

Furthermore, if you are aged 55 or over, there are also some additional options open to you such as applying for sheltered housing. Please see the housing for older people section of this site for further information.

Housing association tenants

If you are a housing association tenant and want to move, you should contact your landlord to apply for a transfer. You may also wish to register on the General Needs Queue or, if you are 55 or over, apply for sheltered housing.

If you have at least one spare bedroom and would like to move to a smaller home, you may be eligible for generous financial assistance under the Room to Move scheme. If your landlord rehouses you to a smaller property which is more suitable for your needs, you may qualify for payment under the scheme if your landlord lets the property you have vacated to a family nominated by the council.

You may also wish to consider a mutual exchange i.e. swapping your home with another council or housing association tenant anywhere in the UK. If you swap your property for an overcrowded Wandsworth council tenant 's smaller property, you may qualify for payment under the Room to Move scheme. You will receive full payment where the exchange is a 'perfect fit' i.e. it results in both you and the tenant you exchange with occupying properties which you would be entitled to under the council's Allocation scheme. However, the mutual exchange scheme allows you to move to a property where you still have one spare room. If you do this, you will be entitled to the same payment you would have achieved should the exchange have been a 'perfect fit'.

Alternatively, if you want to move out of Wandsworth or out of London, you may be eligible for assistance under the Out of London scheme (also known as the LAWN scheme) or the Seaside and Country Homes scheme.

 Room to move?

If you have at least one spare bedroom and would like to move to a smaller home, we may be able to help. If your application is approved, you may qualify for generous financial assistance of up to £5,000.

The benefits of transferring to a smaller home appropriate for the size of your household are:

• Generous financial assistance
  • £1,500 where one bedroom is given up
  • £3,000 where two bedrooms are given up
  • £5,000 where three or more bedrooms are given up (assuming you move into accommodation suited to your household size)
• Lower rent - You should save money on rent if you move to a smaller property.
• Keep a spare room - If you are giving up three or more bedrooms, you can still keep a spare room.
• Priority treatment - If your application is accepted, it will be given high priority.
• Personal service - Our transfer specialists will provide all the help and advice you need.
• Assistance with removals - If you need help with arranging removals, leave it to us.
• Decorations - Where necessary, we will undertake decorations to your new home before you move in.

For further information, please contact the Lettings Section.