Transferring homes

Hackney Council manages the waiting list but you can get all the information you need at your Neighbourhood Office.

Your questions answered

Can I move within the Hackney area?

Yes. If you are not already on Hackney Council's housing register you need to complete an application form and be accepted onto the list. You then need to check each week for homes you might like to move to. See the number list for how to do this.

How long will I have to wait for a transfer?

This will depend on how many homes become available in the area you wish to move to, which band of housing need you are in and when you joined the list. If you do not need to move urgently and you are not in a high priority band, you might consider exchanging with another tenant. See Other ways to move.
information Also, if you are willing to move somewhere else in London or even the North of England, Wales or the Midlands, there are special schemes you can apply to. See Other ways to move.

Can I move to another part of the country?

If you want to move out of Hackney, contact the Council's Support Services Team who will advise you who to contact. Also, see Other ways to move.

Are there special homes for older people or people with disabilities?

We can refer you to a number of sheltered schemes managed by housing associations. We also have certain homes that are only let to older tenants or tenants with disabilities. See Support services. If you are over 60 we can help you apply to move to a flat or a bungalow near the sea or in the country. Contact the Council's Support Services Team to find out how to apply for these schemes or homes.

1. Apply to go on the Hackney housing register

You need to complete an application form. You can get this from your Neighbourhood Office.

We will assess your level of need using a 5 band system. This groups applicants in order of greatest need. We will let you know what band you are in and what size home you can apply for. Your position within the band will depend on the date you were accepted on the list.

2. Look for a home you like

Each week we advertise a list of available homes. You can see it from Friday morning (midnight on Thursday) to midnight on Monday:

Each home advertised has a property reference number.

3. Let us know

You can apply (bid) for two properties each week. You can phone, use the internet, send a text message or visit (or use a kiosk at) your Neighbourhood Office.

4. We will contact you

We will see if anyone else wants the home you have asked for. If no one else wants it we will offer it to you.

If other people are interested in the same property, we will offer it to the person in the highest band who has been longest on the list.