If you are already with Hanover and want to move to another rented property then you may find it useful to contact your Estate Manager for advice. There are various ways to move to another property including:

• transferring within Hanover;
• via a mutually agreed exchange with a tenant of a housing association or local authority landlord;
• moving to more supported accomodation.

This page also outlines what you need to do if you have found somewhere else to live and explains what happens in the event of a death.

How to transfer within Hanover

• Complete a new application form
• Talk to your estate manager or contact the Lettings and Enquiries Team for advice
• Find someone else with whom to exchange your tenancy

If you are an existing tenant then you have the right to ask to transfer to another property.  To do this fill in an application form or contact the Lettings and Enquiries Team on 0800 280 2575 and an advisor will be happy to complete one over the telephone.  Once submitted your application form will have the date of its submission recorded.  Offers of properties will then be made on the basis of who has been waiting longest.  We make no distinction between our own residents’ transfer applications and applications for re-housing from the general public. All are placed together and offered properties in date order.

Exceptions to the above rule will apply when:

• the property available has been adapted for a disabled person;
• the property size means a larger household should be given preference;
• the person seeking re-housing has been given a priority status.

In these circumstances we will take applications out of turn in order to bring the most benefit and make best use of our properties.

Requests for transfer can be to another area of the country or to a property on the same estate. Details of where Hanover has properties can be obtained from your Estate Manager, by looking at our map of all estates or contacting our Lettings and Enquiries Team on 0800 2802575.

How to move via a mutually agreed exchange

You can swap your home with another person who is a tenant of a housing association or local authority landlord.

To do this mutually agreed exchange you must:

• apply in writing to the Enquiries Team at which point we will explain the criteria required;
• have obtained our written permission for a move (the person you are exchanging with must also have obtained written permission from their landlord);
• arrange to swap with someone who would qualify for retirement accommodation.

Permission to exchange your tenancy cannot be unreasonably withheld but can be refused or made conditional for a number of reasons.

Please be aware that by agreeing to swap homes with someone else the type of tenancy you have may change because you will have to legally assign your tenancies to each other.

You could contact Homeswapper who operate a scheme that may be able to put you in touch with others wanting to move into your area.

Other options to move home

Other options are to approach other housing associations or local authorities direct. They should all maintain a waiting list and be able to advise you on your prospects for being re-housed with them. Local authorities’ housing advice centres will be able to advise you of any nomination rights they have with the housing associations in their area.

The Citizens Advice Bureau may also be able to assist you.

Offering you more support

The service we provide is aimed at helping you to remain independent for as long as possible. If you are having difficulties managing then we will explore with you what options are available to help improve your situation. This could include carrying out an adaptation to your home or working to bring in more care and support services. If we felt that these were not sufficient then we would work to advise you about more supportive forms of accommodation, such as Extra Care Housing which may be more suitable in addressing your needs.

If you want to discuss a move to more supported accommodation please contact your Estate Manager or the Lettings and Enquiries Team on 0800 2802575.

What to do if you have found somewhere else to live?

If you are moving from Hanover you must give us at least one calendar month’s notice. Written notice is necessary to bring the tenancy to an end. We cannot end your tenancy on a verbal message such as a telephone call, nor can we accept a termination from a third party (unless they hold Power of Attorney).  Termination letters must be handed to the Estate Manager or sent to the Enquiries Team.  Termination will be calculated from the date of receipt.

You can leave the property at any time during the notice period but you will have to pay the rent until the last day of your tenancy.

Before leaving your property you must make sure that:

•  it has been left clean and in good decorative order;
• you have not left any belongings behind, this includes carpets;
• you hand all keys back to the Estate Manager;
• any alterations made without our knowledge or consent are rectified.

Should any of the conditions mentioned above not be met then you will be charged for these additional costs.

In the event of a death

The person who is handling the affairs of the deceased, or the executor of the will should write to us giving notice on the tenancy.  We appreciate this will be a difficult time for your relatives and we will allow the tenancy to run until they have been able to clear the property.  A formal calendar month’s notice is not therefore necessary.  However, the longer a tenancy is allowed to run the greater the claim will be on your estate. The tenancy will end on recipt of the keys.

It is wise to note that any benefit entitlements including housing benefit will cease on date of death.

The relative, friend or executor handling your affairs should contact the Estate Manager or the Enquiries Team for advice at this time.

Hanover Service Centre
Nelson House
Alington Road
Eynesbury
St. Neots
Cambs
PE19 6RE

Tel. 0800 2802575