Downsizing
Guidance on moving to a smaller home. This includes information about when you may want to consider downsizing and what support is available if you decide this is the right option for you.
When to consider downsizing?
You may want to consider moving to a smaller home if:
- you're receiving housing benefits and are affected by the size criteria
- your home has become too expensive to run and difficult to manage
- the number of people in the house has reduced, for example, children have grown up and left home
- you want to move to a different location to be nearer family or work
Before moving home, you'll need to clear all outstanding arrears. To make an online payment:
- sign in to your L&Q online account
- go to 'my payments'
- select 'make a payment'
If you're affected by the size criteria and cannot move due to arrears, please get in touch for support and advice.
We also reserve the right to deny you from moving if there has been a breach of tenancy or your current home has not been kept in a suitable condition.
Support with downsizing
As new referrals to our rehousing service are temporarily paused, we're not currently able to offer you another property directly.
If you transfer to another L&Q home with fewer bedrooms, we may be able to offer financial support and not charge an affordable rent.
If you're downsizing through a transfer or mutual exchange to another L&Q home, you may be considered for financial support if you're:
- affected by size criteria
- disabled
- over working age (if moving into general needs homes)
- moving into sheltered accommodation
- parent(s) with children under 16