Advice on Housing
At a Glance
This page outlines all available options for people who wish to move from their current home either within Maidstone or out of the Borough.
We have summarised the information at the top, with more detail down the page.
Our Housing Options leaflet contains useful information. (This is a PDF file and will open in a new window).
Homesearch
This is the name of the transfer scheme we operate for our existing tenants. Full information on Homesearch can be found here.Maidstone Borough Council
Contact Maidstone Borough Council for an application form for inclusion on their Housing Register to be considered for a tenancy with Registered Social Landlords in Maidstone.
HOMESWAPPER
HOMESWAPPER is a national mutual exchange service linking Boroughs throughout the country together for tenants to apply for an exchange directly.
Homebuy
Shared Ownership Scheme allowing applicants to purchase a percentage of a property and pay a lower rent on the remaining percentage of the property which remains in the ownership of the Registered Social Landlord.
Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council has a dedicated Housing Options team to assist anyone who needs advice about different housing options available. This includes people who are threatened with homelessness and people who are seeking affordable housing.
If you are a Maidstone Housing Trust tenant you can apply to go on the Housing Register to be considered for properties owned by other Housing Associations within Maidstone. However Maidstone Borough Council cannot put you forward for another Maidstone Housing Trust property.
Please note if you are offered an alternative property with another Housing Association, you must leave your property in good condition and your rent account must be clear. Maidstone Housing Trust has a Recharge Policy and we will actively seek repayment for any major repairs, removals of furniture or for any costs incurred to Maidstone Housing Trust deemed as unreasonable from any tenant leaving their property in an unacceptable condition.
Maidstone Borough Council operate an open Housing Register which means if anyone wants to be housed in Maidstone they may apply through the Register.
Maidstone Borough Council operate a different system to Maidstone Housing Trust regarding pointing or banding so it is important to remember this if you are registered with MHT for a transfer and are registered with Maidstone Borough Council on the Housing Register.
How Do I Apply?
For a Housing Register Application Pack and further information you can either:
Telephone: 01622 602000 – ask for the Housing Options Team
Website: www.digitalmaidstone.gov.uk
Write to: Housing Options Department
Maidstone Borough Council
5 - 11 London Road
Maidstone
ME16 8HY
HOMESWAPPER
This is a scheme dealing with a UK-wide database of people who would like to swap their home. This is useful for those people who want to move locally or anywhere within the UK. Please note as this is a scheme managed by Communities and Local Government office, details (such as the name of the scheme) and contact information may change. As this is not a Maidstone Housing Trust service, changes to the name of the scheme and available information are dependent upon information provided to us by Communities and Local Government office so we cannot take responsibility for any changes effected.
Maidstone Housing Trust participate in HOMESWAPPER and this is used as a mutual exchange list. These lists are available to look through at our Area Housing Office at Shepway and at our offices at Whatman House.
The Lists are split into two sections:
Moves within Maidstone (for example currently living in Shepway wanting to move to Barming)
Moves into Maidstone (currently living outside Maidstone and wish to move into Maidstone)
You are eligible to register with HOMESWAPPER if you are living in permanent, self-contained accommodation and renting from a Council or Housing Association.
Before you can exchange your property you must make sure you have a clear rent account and your property must be maintained to a good standard. Written permission must be sought from both Landlords (if different) before exchanging. If permission has not granted the Landlord may legal action against the tenancy.
How Do I Apply?
For further information you can either:
Telephone: 01622 212800 – a dedicated ‘hotline’ direct to the Homesearch team
Visit: Shepway Area Housing Office at 1 Northumberland Court, Northumberland Road, Shepway, Maidstone
Email: homesearch@maidstonehousing.org.uk
Website: www.maidstonehousing.org.uk
Write to:
Whatman House,
St. Leonards Road,
Allington,
MAIDSTONE,
ME16 0LS
Shared Ownership (Homebuy)
This a scheme adopted by many Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s), Housing Associations and Local Authorities across the UK.
This scheme is aimed at people who would like to own their own property but cannot afford to do so on the open market. Many people nationally have expressed their interest in this scheme including tenants of a Registered Social Landlord, tenants of a private landlord and often young people still living at home with their parents who simply cannot afford to purchase a property in today’s current market.
Shared Ownership means applicants buy a share of a property at market value and pay rent on the remainder share of the property to the landlord. The initial percentage you will need to pay varies according to the size and type of property you may wish to ‘Homebuy’.
How Do I Apply?
For further details on this scheme please contact Moat Housing who are responsible for managing the shared ownership schemes for Kent including within the Maidstone area.
Moat Housing:
Telephone: 07002 662846 or 0845 600 1006
Email: info@moat.co.uk
Write: Moat Housing
Mariner House
Galleon Boulevard
Crossways
Dartford
Kent
DA2 6QE
Moving to Neighbouring Boroughs
If you would like to move out of Maidstone but not out of Kent or the South East you should contact the Local Authorities responsible for housing in the area you would like to move to.
Please note many Authorities request an applicant has ‘local connection’ to be eligible to be added onto their Housing Register or Waiting List. Each Local Authority is different, it is therefore advisable to contact the Local Authority directly to find out how they operate their Housing Register or Waiting List.
The following numbers are main switchboard numbers for neighbouring Local Authorities responsible for Housing. Once through to the switchboard you should ask to be put through to (or select) the Housing Needs / Options Department.
Ashford |
01233 331111 |
Gravesham |
01474 337000 |
Medway |
01634 306000 |
Sevenoaks |
01732 227000 |
Swale |
01795 424341 |
Tonbridge & Malling |
01732 844522 |
Tunbridge Wells |
01892 526121 |
Want to move further afield?
If you would like to move to an outside of South East England, you must apply directly to the Local Authority responsible for housing within the particular area(s) you would like to move to.
You can contact the Department for Communities and Local Government to find out which Local Authority you would need to contact to apply for housing.
How Do I Apply?
For further information, please contact the following
Department for Communities and Local Government
Telephone: 020 7944 4400
Email: Contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.communities.gov.uk
Write to:
Department for Communities & Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU
There are some useful websites you can visit which may assist you in finding which local authority you need to contact:
www.direct.gov.uk