Moving home

Updated: 09 May 2011

There are lots of reasons for wanting to move home. Your job may change, your family may grow or you may want independence from your family. We believe you should have every chance to move when you need to.

There are different ways for you to move:

• Apply for a transfer to another Gateway home
• Exchange with another tenant

Moving to another social housing home

To transfer to another one of our homes, or a home provided by a London Borough of Tower Hamlets Common Housing Register Partner, you will need to register by filling in an application form. Please ask your housing officer for a form.

Once you are registered, you can apply for homes advertised in East End Life or in the Tower Hamlets' one-stop shops.

For a copy of our lettings policy, email us or call us on 020 8709 4300.

Sheltered housing

Sheltered housing is for people who are 60 or over. You can either join our waiting list or bid for homes that are advertised in East End Life. Contact our sheltered housing team by emailing us or call us on 020 8709 4300 for more information.

Exchanging with another tenant

You can also move by exchanging your home with another Gateway tenant, a council tenant, or a tenant of another housing association or council. This could be anywhere in the UK. This is called a mutual exchange. Mutual exchanges are done on an 'as seen' basis.

We are a member of an online mutual-exchange scheme called Homeswapper. You can register for free.

Ending your tenancy

You must tell us at least four weeks before you move out of your home. You must fill in a 'Notice of Termination of Tenancy' form which you can get by emailing us or calling us on 020 8709 4300.

We want to re-let all our homes as quickly as possible. This could mean that we may show people around your home before you move out.

You must return all your keys (including meter cupboard keys) to us when you move out. If you do not, we will charge you if we need to change the locks.

Please make sure you do not leave anything behind and that you leave the property clean and tidy and in good condition. If it is damaged or needs redecorating, you may have to pay for us to put it right. We may also charge you if we have to store or remove any belongings you leave behind.

You must also make sure that you have cleared your rent account and do not owe us any money. Remember to tell the council and your gas, electricity, phone and water suppliers you have moved.

Please let us know your new address in case we need to contact you.

For more information contact our Lettings team on 020 8709 4300 or email us.

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