Homes Mobility Scheme

Introduction

Leeds Federated has been a partner in the Government sponsored Homes Mobility Scheme for some years now with some success. The principle behind the scheme is to provide a fast response system to enable tenants to move quickly to other areas of the country which has traditionally been for support reasons. The scheme has now changed its name to moveUK and now allows access via the website to employment opportunities all over the country.

Homeswap

The moveUK system is also linked to Homeswap - a national database for social housing tenants wishing to move to other areas but who may not qualify under the rules of the normal moveUK system. The Homeswap system can only be accessed online and every effort has been made to facilitate this at Leeds Federated with PCs in reception directly linking to the website and staff trained in the operation of the system. Tenants may also join this scheme without the permission of Leeds Federated but will still be subject to the normal rules applying to mutual exchanges.

Priority of moveUK applicants

moveUK applicants should apply to the Leeds Housing Register to widen their housing options. The pack they receive will inform them of how to bid for properties under choice based lettings. If they bid for properties advertised they will receive no additional priority with Leeds Federated but will be considered using the priority awarded within the Register.

Leeds Federated Applications under moveUK Scheme

Where applicants have applied to Leeds Federated for particular areas they will be considered for any suitable properties that arise in the areas of their choice before we advertise the property in the Leeds Homes flyer.
Applicants will be contacted by phone or letter as soon as possible within the process to prevent delays. They will be able to view the property and if they are interested then reference and other checks will be carried out as normal procedure. If the references and any other checks indicate that they would be a suitable tenant then they could be offered the property.
If the applicant refuses the property or their references indicate that they would not be a suitable tenant for that property under the current Lettings Policy and other guidelines then we would proceed to advertise as soon as possible with Leeds Homes under the choice based lettings initiative.

Unsuitable Applicants

If references indicate that the applicant would be unsuitable then the application needs to be reconsidered as to whether they are suitable to be on the scheme as a whole. Their application may then be either deferred or cancelled as appropriate and the applicant and their landlord should be informed by letter.

Any refusal is subject to the review process if the applicant wishes to go down this route and this is set out in the Lettings Policy.

Tenants Moving to other Areas

Tenants will be provided with every assistance to relocate to another area where they are suitable for the moveUK scheme. However, the rules of the scheme must be observed and currently once nominated the applicant is responsible for chasing up applications with other landlords once they are accepted onto that waiting list. If no housing organisation is willing to accept the applicant then we will inform the tenant of this and the reason so they can look into alternatives.

Leeds Federated is unable to force another landlord to accept an applicant whatever the circumstances. Every application is made subject to the individual landlord's own lettings policies and guidelines and Leeds Federated agree to abide by these.

Similarly, Leeds Federated reserve the right to refuse any applicant who does not meet the criteria set down for tenants.

Financial Assistance

Unfortunately, no financial assistance to move is available through Leeds Federated or moveUK itself although alternatives may be available from other sources.