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This page outlines the options available for people who wish to move from their current home, either within Maidstone or out of the Borough. You may also find our housing options leaflet (56KB) useful.
Maidstone Borough Council has a dedicated Housing Options team to assist anyone who requires advice; this includes people who are threatened with homelessness and people who are seeking affordable housing. You can contact them: - Tel - 01622 602000 – ask for the Housing Options team Website - www.maidstone.gov.uk (new window) Email - housingoptions@maidstone.gov.uk
A mutual exchange is when two (or more) tenants swap their homes, as well as their tenancies. This is useful both for people who want to move locally or anywhere within the UK.
Homeswapper is a national mutual exchange service, linking together residents who are looking for a new home. Golding Homes participate in the scheme to help our residents find an exchange partner.
Tenants can register their details and search for suitable matches on the Homeswapper website. You are eligible to register with Homeswapper if you are living in permanent, self-contained accommodation, and renting from a Council or Housing Association, such as Golding Homes.
Before you exchange a property:
A mutual exchange can be refused by the landlord for a limited number of reasons.
If you have found someone who wants to swap with you, you must contact us. If the people you want to swap with are not tenants of Golding Homes, they must contact their own landlord.
This is a scheme adopted by many Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s), Housing Associations and Local Authorities across the UK. The scheme is aimed at people who would like to buy their own home, but cannot afford to on the open market.
Shared Ownership means applicants buy a share of a property at market value, and pay rent on the remaining share to the landlord. Your initial share varies according to the size and type of the property you wish to buy.
For further details on this scheme, please contact Moat Housing who are responsible for managing the shared ownership schemes for Kent, including the Maidstone area.
Telephone - 0845 600 1006 or 07002 662846 Website - www.moat.co.uk (new window)
If you would like to move out of Maidstone, you should apply directly to the Local Authority responsible for housing within the area you would like to move to. Many authorities request an applicant has a ‘local connection’ to be eligible to be added onto their Housing Register or Waiting List, such as family members, or you work there.
If you want to move further afield, you could contact the Department for Communities and Local Government to find out which Local Authority you would need to contact:
Tel - 020 7944 4400 Email - Contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk Website - www.communities.gov.uk (new window)
There are also some useful websites you can visit which may assist you in finding which Local Authority to contact:www.direct.gov.uk (new window) and www.upmystreet.com (new window)
If you are offered an alternative home you must leave your property in good condition and your rent account must be clear. More information on Leaving Your Home is given here.
Last updated: 21 March 2013