Move out of Wandsworth as a council tenant

if you would like to move out of Wandsworth, you may be eligible to receive help via a number of schemes. 

You could also investigate swapping your home directly with another tenant elsewhere in the UK. 

Out of Borough

The Out of Borough scheme provides a financial incentive of up to £5,000 to council and housing association tenants who decide to relocate outside of the Wandsworth area. 

We can support you to move to parts of the country where there is more social housing available, perhaps nearer to family, work, or schools. Some areas of England have much smaller waiting lists. They may be more likely to include houses with gardens or outside space.

To apply for a payment, register for the scheme by emailing the Allocation team at allocationteam@wandsworth.gov.uk. 

You are responsible for finding your new accommodation in an area of your choice and making an application to the local authority, local housing association or landlord. 

Once you have received an offer of accommodation you may receive between £3,000 and £5,000, depending on the size of the property you are leaving. This will be awarded after you have given a notice to quit and returned the keys. 

Homefinder UK

Homefinder UK is a free scheme to help social housing tenants move from one part of the UK to another, perhaps for a better job or to be nearer to family. 

Through the scheme you can find a variety of properties to exchange with or rent throughout the UK. You can register if you are an council tenant in Wandsworth, or living in temporary accommodation (where we have accepted a homeless duty to support you). 

To apply, complete an application form on the Homefinder UK website. Free internet access is available in the Housing department reception and local libraries. 

Once registered on the website, you will be able to see all home exchange opportunities. 

Seaside and Country Homes

The Seaside and Country Homes scheme offers the chance to move to the countryside or one of the coastal regions of southern England. There are approximately 3,000 bungalows and flats along the south coast, west country, and parts of East of England, from Dorset and Cornwall to Norfolk and across the countryside from Shropshire to Cambridgeshire. 

To register for this scheme you need to be a council tenant aged 55 plus, currently living in London. 

Before you make your application read the Seaside and Country Homes areas and properties guide, for information about properties and locations This will help you decide whether moving from London is right for you and where you would like to move to. 

You can apply online for the Seaside and Country Homes scheme. 

Housing Moves

Housing Moves is a Mayor of London scheme supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse and former rough sleepers to move home within London. 

Request a referral if you think you may eligible: 

• Victims/survivors of domestic abuse: contact your landlord or any organisation currently supporting you 
• Former rough sleepers: contact your tenancy sustainment support worker 

Revive

Revive specialises in relocating domestic abuse survivors to permanent social housing in a new and safe environment in a different part of the country. It provides an alternative way to find social housing for survivors without the need to compete against other high priority groups.

For more information contact revive@homefinderuk.org, call 020 3823 1072 or visit the Homefinder UK website. 

Read more about being rehoused due to abuse, violence or harassment.