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Moving Out of London

Are you looking for a new home?
Have you been on the housing register for a long time?
Is there no sign of the transfer you have been waiting for?
Are you living in temporary accommodation?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, our Moving Out of London scheme may be able to help you. Even if you have been approved by the Council for rehousing, you may still have to wait several years before you receive an offer of a permanent home.

Under the Moving Out of London scheme, you can have the chance of a permanent home in another part of the country, for you and your family.

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Why should I move out of London?

In Haringey, more people need housing from the Council and housing associations than there are homes available. Each year the queue for permanent housing gets longer.

In an attempt to solve this problem, we are working with other councils and housing associations across the country to find decent homes in areas where there is a much lower demand for housing.

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Where could I move to?

There are other councils and housing associations all over Britain who may consider applications from Haringey residents, some areas we have successfully moved people to are:

Yorkshire and Humberside in cities such as Halifax, Huddersfield, Scunthorpe, Sheffield and Wakefield.
North East England in cities such as Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland.
North West England in and around Burnley, Manchester and Oldham.
Wales in Swansea and other parts of the country.
Scotland including Fife and other areas.

These are just examples of areas where family sized homes may be available for people who want to move out of London.

Single people over the age of 50 have a greater choice, especially in South East England and the West Country. Please contact us for more information.

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What kind of home can I get?

There are different types of property available, ranging from one bedroom flats or bungalows (for older people) to large family houses. Each area has different properties available.

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Can I apply to move out of London?

You can apply for the scheme if you are:

On the housing register and have been approved for permanent accommodation.
Living in any form of temporary accommodation provided by the Council.
A Haringey Council tenant.
A housing association tenant living in Haringey.

If you do not meet the criteria but are interested in the scheme, you can still contact us and we will let you know if we are able to assist you through the Moving Out of London scheme or any of the other mobility schemes available.

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Who can't move under the scheme?

If you have a history of causing nuisance or harssment, the councils and housing associations we work with will not accept you for housing. This applies to either council and housing association tenants or people living in temporary accommodation.

If you have rent arrears you are unlikely to be offered a home through this scheme. However, if you have arrears and have been keeping to an agreement for 12 months or more, you can apply and we will ask the area that you want to move to if they will accept you.

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Can I get help with the moving costs?

In some cases we will help you with costs associated with your move, providing you meet the criteria. We give advice to all people who want to move but not everyone will be eligible for financial assistance (for example a single applicant.)

If you are eligible, we will arrange and pay for:

Your removal expenses.
Expenses to travel and view properties, including overnight accommodation if required.
A resettlement grant to assist with your reconnection charges for your cooker and washing machine. This is paid within one month of you moving into your new home.

If you are moving from furnished temporary acommodation, we may be able to help you with basic items of furniture.

If you are a Council or housing association tenant who is living in accommodation that is too large for you, you will be eligible for additional financial assistance if you transfer into smaller accommodation. Please contact us for further details.

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How do I find out more?

If you would like to find out about the scheme, please look at our frequently asked questions page or contact us.

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What happens next?

If you decide to contact us to find out more, we will carry out a telephone interview to discuss how the scheme works and the areas you are interested in moving to. You will also be able to ask any questions you have about the scheme.

If you are a Council tenant, housing association tenant or living in temporary accommodation, we will check your rent record and conduct as a tenant. If these checks are clear, we will contact the council or housing association in the area you have chosen to see if they can help you.

If they accept your application, you will be contacted by the council or housing association and be placed on their housing register. When you are due to be offered a property you will be invited to go to a viewing.

If you decide to accept a property, it is important that you contact us immediately so that we can organise your move. If you decide not to accept a property, you will not lose your place in any queue for housing in Haringey. It's your choice.

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How many times can I go to view areas and properties?

Haringey Council will only pay for you to view one area. If you change your mind and decide you want to go to another area, we will not pay for the trip. However if you do decide to move to another area, you will still be eligible for assistance with removal costs.

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How many offers will I get?

This will depend on the council or housing association that you are referred to. Some landlords will show you a selection of properties when you visit. Others will make you just one offer.

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