Move or swap home

If you’re a Settle customer, there are two ways you can move home:

you can go onto the housing list and apply for a different property
you can swap your home with another tenant (also known as a mutual exchange)

If you’re over 55 you can also apply for one of our retirement or flexicare properties.

Please see the North Hertfordshire Housing [PDF] for more information.

Please see the North Hertfordshire Housing – Common Housing Allocation Scheme [PDF] for more information.

Apply for a different property

If you need to move, apply to join what’s called the Common Housing Register (also known as the waiting list). Housing is provided on a need’s basis which can take a long time. A quicker way to move might be to swap your home with another tenant (see below).

Step 1. Apply to join the common housing register

To do this, visit the Home4U website and fill in the application form. Once you’re registered, your housing application will come to us. You will be asked for supporting information.

Step 2. Search and bid for homes

There’s a high demand for homes in North Hertfordshire so applicants are allocated a banding and points based on their housing needs.

Once we’ve approved your application we will write to you and tell you what band you are in and how many points you have. You will then be able to start searching and bidding for homes online.

Step 3. Viewing properties

The three applicants with the highest priority need for that property will be invited to view the property.

If you have a higher priority than the other bidders (or if someone with a higher priority than you doesn’t want it) it may be offered to you.

Step 4. Accepting an offer and moving

If you accept the property, we’ll contact you to arrange a moving date.

Often, you’ll be asked to move quite quickly so it’s good to be ready.

You’ll need to give notice on your tenancy.

Swap your home

You can apply to swap your home with another resident housed by us or another council or housing association. It can be a great way of finding a more suitable home.

Before you start

Please read our swap your home frequently asked questions [PDF].

This explains what you should check for and be aware of before you apply, and why we might not approve a home swap.

Please note, you can’t swap homes if you have any rent arrears.

Step 1. Register on HomeSwapper

On the site you’ll be able to search for properties and stay updated with any applications you make.

Step 2. Complete a HomeSwapper application form

When you find someone to swap with, complete the online application form on the HomeSwapper website.

You’ll need to upload copies of the following documents:

Photo ID for each named tenant. This can be a passport or driving license.
Proof of child benefit for each household member under 18. This can be a bank statement showing your Child Benefit payment, your name and address.
For each household member over 18, copies of two official letters, one dated less than one month ago, the other dated more than six months ago. These should be on headed paper and show their name and your current address.

Once we’ve received all applications, we’ll let you know within 42 calendar days if the move can go ahead.

Make sure you have viewed your potential new home in order to agree to an exchange, and to agree to any works which need to be completed by the outgoing resident. You can contact us to get in touch with our Hub to arrange these visits.

We also recommend that you arrange a viewing of the potential new home a week before your moving weekend to ensure that the works which you have agreed with the outgoing resident will be completed before you move in.

Step 3. Inspection of your home

During the 42 days, we’ll carry out a condition survey of your home. This is to make sure it’s safe and suitable for the new residents.

We’ll also carry out gas and electrical safety checks.

We do ask that you make it as easy as possible for the team to access every room and plug socket. We also need to be able to have a good view of the room and fittings so would kindly ask that furniture and other items are pulled out from walls and spaces we need access to.

Sometimes we might need to repair things in your current home, or we might ask you to repair things that are your responsibility before we approve the swap.

If you’re moving into a Settle home, you’ll receive a Property Pack with all the information you need to know about your potential new home.

Step 4. Approval and completion

Once everything’s agreed, you’ll receive written approval from us to go ahead with your exchange. You can then arrange a moving date with us and your exchange partner.

The final step is payment and the legal part of the exchange, which we can do in person or virtually. At this appointment, you’ll need to provide us with:

Copies of your photographic ID such as your passport or photo driving licence
Proof of address
Payment of the first week’s rent (or the first month’s rent if you want to pay monthly).

We’ll also ask you to set up a Direct Debit for future payments.

All parties will then sign a legal document known as a Deed of Assignment and then you can move.

If we do refuse your exchange, we’ll explain why. We may also approve your exchange on a conditional basis so the exchange will only go ahead once these conditions are met. This could be paying off any rent arrears or completing any repairs.

How we’ll support you

We have a paper process for those without internet access. Just contact us.
We can provide a translator when you talk to us.
We can make other adjustments if you have a disability or other special needs (see our reasonable adjustments policy).
We’ll provide you with communication and updates on your exchange through the HomeSwapper website.

Apply for a retirement housing

We have self-contained retirement flats and bungalows for people over 55 (over 60 in St Albans) where residents can maintain their independence. There’s communal areas and facilities for residents to enjoy and each resident has a personal alarm.

How to apply

Simply follow the steps in the apply for a different property section above.

Apply for flexicare housing

We have flexicare flats and bungalows for people over 55 with long-term health problems. We call them flexicare because the amount and type of care is flexible for each resident.

You might need flexicare accommodation if you:

Are finding it hard to cope at home
Are already receiving home care
Have unpredictable care needs
Are a couple needing different amounts of care

What’s it like?

Our flexicare buildings are specially designed for those with care needs.

Each resident has their own one or two-bedroom self-contained flat or bungalow, allowing them to maintain their independence.

There are also communal areas and facilities for all residents to use. These include:

Communal lounge and separate dining area
Hairdressing salon
Treatment room
Communal laundry
IT room
Guest room for visitors
Indoor scooter parking
Wet rooms

Flexicare locations

St Albans – Parkside View, Chiltern Road, AL4 9FJ

Hitchin – Peter Sell House, Desborough Road, SG4 0NW

Letchworth Garden City – Robert Humbert House, Rushby Mead, SG6 1RS

Baldock – Temple Court, Woodland Way, SG7 6LY

If you’d like to have a look round any of our flexicare sites, please contact us.

Care

Although you’ll rent your home from us, care services are provided by our partners Herts at Home.

How to apply

Simply follow the steps in the apply for a different property section above.