1
Moving Options Policy
Policy date
Policy owner
New or review
10 August 2016
Paul Cohen
New
Internal /
customer facing
Customer facing policy
Version No
V1
Approved by
Bolton at Home Management
Team
Date approved
24.08.16
Review date
Review after 12 months –
August 2017
Date of equality
analysis
25.08.16
Contents
1
Introduction ................................................................................................. 2
2
The policy .................................................................................................... 2
3
Main Policy Details ........................................................................................ 2
4
Equality and Diversity.................................................................................... 3
5
Privacy impact assessment ............................................................................ 3
6
Financial implications .................................................................................... 3
7
Monitoring and performance management ....................................................... 3
1
Introduction
1.1
This policy sets out the principles and practices we will use to manage moving
options for our customers who wish to move to another property within Bolton at
Home.
1.2
We are committed to ensuring our customers can exercise their right to move
within Bolton at Home by means of a number of moving options that sit within our
policy guidelines. However, a move can only be allowed if certain criteria is met
which ensures practices are fair and make best use of housing stock.
1.3
This policy links to Bolton at Home’s aim and objectives as follows:
 To create homes and neighbourhoods we can all be proud of by:
 Maximising income for our organisation so that we remain viable
 Delivering an efficient and well run business
2 The policy
2.1
Policy Statement
Bolton at Home offers a Choice Based Lettings Service (CBL) where customers can
ask to move if they meet the set criteria and the requirements in line with Bolton
at Homes policy and procedure guidance for an advertised property. See extract
from CBL Guidance (7.1 - page 40) which explains choice based lettings and gives
information on eligibility. The full Guidance is available on the website under
Bolton Council – Bolton Community Homes, Allocation and Lettings Policy,
January 2014.
2.2
Policy Aim
To ensure Bolton at Home follow practices fairly and make best use of their stock
when allowing customers to move.
2.3
To ensure we can achieve and demonstrate value for money within the allocation
process.
2.4
Policy Objectives
All moves will be subject to checks determining property condition and identifying
tenancy breaches. This will include a visit to your home to assess:
 condition of property
 property damage
 general conduct of how the tenancy has been managed
We will look at each case on an individual basis and priority will be defined through
our processes and procedures.
3
Main Policy Details
3.1
Our principles relating to this policy are to:

Allow customers who can demonstrate an identified need to move within
Bolton at Home properties, with restrictions to those wanting to move to a
like for like property. This will be done within Bolton at Home policy and
procedure guidelines.
2
3
3.2 Some circumstances will be apparent at shortlisting and some may not. In these
cases a full assessment will be required and a move will not be authorised until the
assessment is completed and agreed.

Allow customers to mutually exchange (subject to the set standard verification
checks).

Promote the use of mutual exchange and HomeSwapper as the main ways to move
for all customers, especially those wanting to access like for like Bolton at Home
properties.

Ensure we make best use of our housing stock by applying our Downsizing Policy
and Mutual Exchange Procedure where appropriate.

Allow appeals (following our current established appeals process) by customers
who feel they have not had access to the moving options service.
Bolton at Homes Downsizing Policy, Mutual Exchange flowchart and the Appeals
process are available on our website.
3.3
Customers can get in touch with Bolton at Home to discuss their housing
need by contacting the allocation and lettings teams via our contact centre
– 01204 328000
4
Equality and Diversity
4.1
We have completed a full Equality Analysis of this policy which can be found on our
website.
5
Privacy impact assessment
5.1
This policy has been shared with Paul Walker and there are no requirements for us
to meet.
6
Financial implications
6.1
Allowing customers to access moving options within Bolton at Home, with
restrictions to those wanting to move to a like to like property will result in more
use of the Homeswapper service. This is more economic because it reduces the
number of empty properties and associated costs whilst still allowing customers the
option to move by finding a suitable swap.
7
Monitoring and performance management
7.1
Customer Committee will receive quarterly reports and any other information
deemed appropriate.
4
Consultation
Type
Staff consultation
Customer
consultation
Details
Date
Staff briefed on changes required following
Customer Committee Service Review of
Transfers
March 2016
Customer Committee members involved
throughout Transfers Review and subsequent
implementation.
April 2015 –
October 2016
Article in July 2016 Door to Door for wider
customer information.
July 2016 Door
to Door
Related documentation to be considered
Related documents
Document name
Policies and procedures:




Homes for Bolton Allocation policy
Downsizing policy
Mutual Exchange procedure
Management Move procedure
Forms and letters:

Offer letter
Leaflets:

Weekly advert of available properties in access
points
Intranet / website pages:


Bolton at Home website
Homes for Bolton website
Legislation:

Housing Act 1985, 1996, 2002, 2004
National
standards/regulation:
Homes & Community Agency’s Consumer Standards:
 Home 1.S 1.2
 Home 1.S 1.8.1
 Home 1.S 1.8.2
 Home 1.S 1.8.3
Review history
Version no
Reviewed by
Date