Moving home FAQ

Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions regarding moving home.

1. What happens if I find someone to swap home with?
2. What happens if the exchange is out of the Wyre Forest?
3. If I exchange homes, what should I look out for?
4. When will my tenancy start?
5. When do I start paying rent?
6. What should I do about improvements I’ve made?
7. Will you pay me compensation for major improvements I’m leaving behind?
8. What about removals?
9. Other things you need to do

1. What happens if I find someone to swap home with?

Both you and the person you want to swap with must fill in separate exchange forms and return them to us. Your housing officer will arrange to visit you within four weeks of receiving your form. They will let you know if you are responsible for carrying out any repairs before you move, and if there is anything that you will need to repair or maintain at your new home.

They will then tell you whether you can swap homes, and confirm this in writing. If we agree to the exchange, we will arrange for you to sign up for your new home within 10 days of our visit.

We may delay giving our permission for the exchange if there is a problem that needs to be sorted out (for example, if you owe rent). We may refuse an exchange in certain situations (for example, if a home would be underoccupied or overcrowded as a result). If we do not approve your exchange, we will write within 10 days of our visit to let you know the reason why.

Back to top

2. What happens if the exchange is out of the Wyre Forest?

If you find someone to exchange with who is either a tenant of another council or housing association, we will have to send them a report of our visit. We will also have to wait for a similar report from them on the people who want to swap with you.

Once this has been done, the exchange will go ahead in the same way as an ordinary exchange.

Back to top

3. If I exchange homes, what should I look out for?

Although exchanging is a quick way to find a move, there are things you must consider. You should have a good look around the home you want to move to. This is important as you may become responsible for any repairs, changes or improvements carried out by the tenant you are exchanging with.

Do not agree to move until you are satisfied with the home you are taking on. Equally, you must leave your home in a good condition. If you do not, we may send you a bill for work we have to carry out after you leave.

You must wait for our written approval to say you can move. Do not move without it, as you may have to move back.

Back to top

4. When will my tenancy start?

If you have looked around and decided to accept your new home on a Monday, your tenancy will normally start on the same day.

Otherwise, if you do not receive your keys until later in the week, your tenancy will start on the next Monday after you received them. The housing officer will give you a welcome pack, which will give details of your responsibilities and rights as a WFCH or WFSH tenant.

In a few cases, we may need to do major repairs to the property before you can move in. The housing officer will tell you when the repairs are expected to be done and your tenancy will start on the Monday after the work has been carried out.

Back to top

5. When do I start paying rent?

Your housing officer will tell you how you can pay your rent, and when it is due. We charge rent every two weeks. If you choose to pay month by month, you should pay each month for the month that follows. We will send you a rent card within three working days of your tenancy starting.

Back to top

6. What should I do about improvements I’ve made?

In many cases, any home improvements or fittings you have installed will become the property of WFCH or WFSH and must be left in good condition or working order when you leave.

In some cases, you may be able to take items with you (for example, your own gas fire), as long as you replace them with whatever fittings were there before. Ask your housing officer about this when they visit. You must make sure the fittings are in good working order and repair any damage you may have caused while replacing them.

Warning: Only contractors registered by British Gas, the Gas Safe Register or CORGI can remove gas appliances because supply pipes must be properly sealed. If they are not correctly sealed, you may face having legal action taken against you. For more advice, contact British Gas.

If any improvements are not in good working order when you leave, or if you fail to put back the original fittings, we may charge you for the cost of any work we have to carry out.

Back to top

7. Will you pay me compensation for major improvements I’m leaving behind?

If any items you are responsible for are broken or faulty, you must repair them. If you do not, we will do the work and charge you for it. If you have made improvements to your home (such as installing central heating), you may get a cash allowance towards part of the cost. This will depend on the value of the work and the length of time it has been installed.

We will ask you to provide receipts so we can work out how much compensation to pay you.

Back to top

8. What about removals?

Before you return the keys, make sure that you:

• have removed all furniture, carpets and belongings,
• unless you made an agreement with the incoming tenant (if so, tell us when you hand the keys in – otherwise, we will get rid of all items you have left within 24 hours)
• have emptied all cupboards, sheds
• handed in any keys
• have not left rubbish or unwanted items in your home or garden 

If you have moved and left rubbish and unwanted items behind, we will charge you the cost of clearing them.

Always check your removal firm’s insurance cover before you allow them to move your furniture. If you are doing your own removals, check if your household contents insurance policy covers you for any damage caused when removing your belongings.

Back to top 

9. Other things you need to do

Before you hand in your keys, contact the gas and electricity companies to arrange for them to read your meters. They can often do this on the day you leave but they will need at least 48 hours' notice.

On the day you move, remember to turn the water off at the stop tap and the gas and electricity off at the meter.

Royal Mail will redirect your letters to your new address for a small charge. If you have a phone, you should let your telephone provider know that you are moving so they can disconnect the line.

Back to top