It is a fact that most people looking to move usually want a bigger home due to an expanding family etc.
A lot of people are also still in properties that are too big because the family is broken up or children have moved away. It is probably a lot of inconvenience to be thinking of moving especially for those that have been in a property for a long time which may also hold a lot of family history or sentiment.
[ad#Google 200×200 left]We are in a credit crunch where times for most tenants are a lot harder than many years ago. The financial benefits of downsizing your council or housing association home may never of been more beneficial than these current times.
If you can consider taking a smaller property there are many financial benefits. Some could include if you need to pay them, cheaper council tax, cheaper rent, lower utilities such as electric, heating or even water rates.
Those council tenants wanting to exchange to a new area should also consider the benefits that could come with having a smaller home if possible. Maybe even workout what your yearly savings might be if you see a nice property in the area you want. For most the yearly benefits are probably quite surprising and it could even just be a stepping stone for you until things improve financially.
[ad#Google 200×200 right]Some tenants who just want a change of home in the same area could also contact your local council or housing association. You might find you can get even better financial benefits than the ones we have listed above. Your landlord might have incentive schemes with cash rewards for downsizing your home.
As always we welcome comments on our blog items.
Maybe you have downsized to save money within your own council and can tell others about a great scheme. Have you done an exchange involving a downsize?
We support downsizing for exchanges and have a dedicated forum for these requirements.
I’m trying to downsize at the moment as I have a 2 bed house with just me living there. I’ve found a 1 bed to move to, but unfortunately my house isn’t what they are looking for so we are trying to sort out a multi swap. We’re not having much luck at the moment, but fingers crossed it will happen soon!
I did try my local council, but they said they couldn’t help me as they had too long a waiting list of people needing 1 bed accommodation.
Nicky
I find your answer very interesting Nicky. My daughter was given a 1 bed flat at the outrageous weekly rent of just under £85 (going up to £96 on October 31st). When I queried this, I was told that 1 bed properties were the councils premium rental properties and they were needed far more than 2 beds. That was quite a shock to me. I’m not sure that I really believed it until I read your comment. Thanks.
ive just aquired a 2 bedroom an want a 1 bedroom. surely that should be an easy swap?
Hello. I have been on the council list for 5 years now. I live in a one bedroom housing association groundfloor maisonette with my son and i am dying to give him his own room. If any of you live in Birmingham please drop me an email.
I don’t know if anyone is still reading this, but I have been waiting on my HA waiting list for the last 6 years. I live in a one bedroom 2nd floor flat (there are only 6 properties and we are on the uppermost floor) property in SE London with my son and need/want to move to a 2 bedroomed property so badly.
I am now researching to see if I can get a mutual exchange, but always thought that it would be near impossible. At least now I’ve read this, I have a little bit more hope!!
I have a 3 bedroom flat I need a one bedroom because of the bedroom tax I will have to pay 100pound a month for my 2rooms I cant get out of here I have loads of points but no properties where I want to go dont know what im going to do cant pay 100pound a month have not got it council dont want to know they are not interested