Moving Home or Changing Your Tenancy
Your housing needs may change over time. This page explains the options available if you want to move home or make changes to your tenancy, and what you need to do.
Our Housing Services team will assess your situation in line with our policies and relevant housing legislation.
On this page
- Applying for rehousing (housing register)
- Mutual exchange (swapping homes)
- Succession (after the death of a tenant)
- No right to succession (left in occupation)
- How to apply or request a change
Your housing options
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to:
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Apply for a different property through the housing register
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Swap homes with another tenant (mutual exchange)
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Move to a smaller or more suitable home
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Apply for home improvements
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Request a disability adaptation
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Request a change to your tenancy
The options available to you will depend on:
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Your tenancy type
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Your household circumstances
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Your housing need
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Your eligibility under council policies
Please contact our Housing Services team for advice before taking any action by emailing housingtenancy@winchester.gov.uk.
Applying for rehousing (housing register)
If you need to move to a different home, you may need to apply to join the housing register.
This process is managed in line with our Allocations Policy and relevant housing legislation. It is designed to ensure that homes are allocated fairly, based on housing need and available supply.
How it works
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Complete an application through Hampshire Home Choice
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Provide details about your household, housing situation and any support needs
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Complete a health and welfare form if your circumstances affect your housing needs
Then.
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We'll assess your application in line with our Allocations Policy
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You are placed into a ‘band’ based on your level of need
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You can bid for suitable available properties through the scheme
Not all applicants will qualify to join the housing register - if you're assessed as adequately housed or don't meet the eligibility criteria, your application may not be accepted. We'll explain the reasons for any decision and let you know what your options are.
When to apply
You may need to apply for rehousing if:
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Your current home is no longer suitable for your needs
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Your household size or circumstances have changed
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You have medical, disability or welfare needs that affect your housing
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You're living in overcrowded or unsuitable conditions
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You're under-occupying your home and wish to move
If you're unsure whether you should apply, contact our Housing Services team for advice before submitting an application. (email)
What we will do
The Housing Services Team will:
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Provide clear information about the housing register and how it works
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Explain your housing options and whether applying is appropriate
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Keep you informed of the outcome of your application and any next steps
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Refer you to support services or alternative housing options where appropriate
We will always aim to ensure the process is clear, transparent and accessible, and that you understand your options at every stage.
Apply for rehousing through Hampshire Home Choice
Mutual exchange (swapping homes)
A mutual exchange allows you to swap your home with another council or housing association tenant. This is often the quickest way to move.
You'll need to:
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Submit an application to all landlords involved
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Meet your tenancy conditions
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Have no serious tenancy breaches
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Meet bedroom size and occupancy criteria
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Meet any additional criteria for adapted properties
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Provide supporting evidence where required
What we will do:
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Assess your application within legal timescales
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Check your tenancy history and eligibility
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Confirm the suitability of the property
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Carry out an affordability assessment
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Inspect your property
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Request references from other landlords where applicable
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Approve or refuse the exchange and explain the reasons
Mutual exchanges are assessed in line with the Housing Act 1985 and tenancy conditions.
If your exchange is approved, you'll be required to sign a Deed of Assignment, which legally transfers the tenancy.
The Deed of Assignment may be signed in advance of your agreed move date. However, the tenancy does not legally transfer until the agreed completion date.
You must not move into the property until the Deed of Assignment has been completed and the agreed move date has been confirmed by all landlords involved.
We subscribe to the national HomeSwapper website that allows you to advertise your property and search for others looking to exchange across the country - registration and advertising is free to Winchester City Council tenants.
Complete our online Mutual Exchanges form Download a paper Mutual Exchanges form
Downsizing
If your home is larger than you need, you may be able to move to a smaller and more suitable property.
Downsizing can help you manage your home more easily and can help us make best use of housing across the district.
Some of the benefits of downsizing include:
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Lower rent and household costs
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A home that is easier to maintain and manage
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Improved suitability for your current needs
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Helps make larger homes available for families who need them
If you're under-occupying your home, you may be given priority under the Allocations Policy.
What we will do:
Our Housing Services team will:
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Explain your housing options clearly
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Support you through the application process
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Assess your housing need in line with policy
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Advise you on any available schemes or incentives
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Refer you to tenancy support or other services where appropriate
We'll work with you to find a suitable and sustainable housing option wherever possible. 
Succession (after the death of a Tenant)
Succession is the legal process where a tenancy may pass to another eligible person after a tenant dies.
Who may qualify
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A spouse or civil partner who was living at the property at the time of death
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In some cases, another qualifying family member
Important information
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Most tenancies allow only one legal succession
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Eligibility depends on the law, your tenancy type and individual circumstances
What we will do
Our Housing Services team will:
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Confirm whether succession rights apply
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Assess eligibility in line with legislation and tenancy conditions
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Consider the suitability of the property for the household
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Explain the process, outcomes and next steps clearly
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Provide advice and support throughout
Succession is governed by the Housing Act 1985 and your tenancy agreement.
No right to succession (left in occupation)
In some cases, a household member may not have the legal right to succeed to the tenancy. This may be because:
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A previous succession has already taken place, or
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The person does not meet the legal criteria
In these circumstances, the person is considered left in occupation.
We understand this can be a difficult and uncertain situation. If this applies to you, our Housing Services officers will work with you to explain your options and provide appropriate support.
Who may be considered for support
We will consider support where appropriate, including where a person:
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Would have qualified if succession rights had not already been used
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Has support needs or is vulnerable
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May qualify under homelessness legislation
Other factors we consider
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Your relationship to the tenant
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The length of time you have lived at the property
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The reason you were living there
What we will do
Housing Services will:
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Meet with you to explain the situation and next steps
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Confirm the legal position in writing
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Serve a Notice to Quit to formally if the tenancy is ended
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Refer you to the Housing Options Team for a full assessment
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Consider your circumstances on a case-by-case basis
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Maintain regular contact and keep you informed throughout
What you need to do
You must:
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Provide supporting evidence when requested
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Attend appointments with Housing Options
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Continue to pay a use and occupation charge
We'll write to you to confirm the outcome and explain any next steps. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to request a review or appeal.
Changes to your household
You must tell us about any changes to your household as soon as possible.
This helps us keep accurate records and ensure your tenancy remains valid.
Changes to your household might include:
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Someone moving in or out of your home
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Relationship breakdowns
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Long-term visitors staying at the property
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Extended temporary absences
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Changes to your name or personal details
You may need permission to:
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Add someone to your household
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Allow someone to live with you on a long-term basis
What we will do
We will:
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Assess your request in line with your tenancy agreement and policy
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Ask for relevant information or supporting evidence
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Confirm our decision clearly and in writing
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Update tenancy records where appropriate
Failing to tell us about changes may affect your tenancy and could lead to action being taken.
If you are unsure, contact Housing Services before making any changes.
Tenancy assignment
Assignment is the legal transfer of a tenancy from one person to another, or from joint tenants to a sole tenant.
This may happen:
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Following a court order
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After a relationship breakdown
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In limited legal circumstances set out in law
Assignment is not automatic and must be approved by Housing Services.
What we will do
Our Housing Services team will:
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Assess your request in line with your tenancy agreement, legislation and council policy
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Consider the circumstances and any supporting evidence
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Explain the decision clearly, including any conditions
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Advise you on the next steps and any legal requirements
We will ensure all decisions are fair, lawful and proportionate.
How to apply or request a change
To request a move or make changes to your tenancy, you should contact the relevant team below. This will help ensure your enquiry is dealt with quickly and by the right service.
Moving to a different property (housing register or rehousing)
For applications to move home through the housing register:
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Complete an application through Hampshire Home Choice
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Contact the Allocations Team for advice or support
Contact the Allocations Team:
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Phone: 01962 848 400
Mutual exchange (swapping homes) and tenancy changes
For mutual exchanges or changes to your tenancy, including:
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Mutual exchange applications
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Succession queries
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Assignment requests
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Changes to your household
Contact Housing Services:
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Phone: 01962 848 400
General advice
If you're unsure which option applies to you, contact Housing Services and we will direct your enquiry to the correct team.
What you may need to do
Depending on your request, you may need to:
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Complete an application form
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Provide supporting information or evidence
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Attend an appointment or assessment
We will explain what is required and support you through the process.
What we will do
Housing Services will:
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Provide clear, accurate and timely advice
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Assess your situation in line with policy and legislation
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Explain your options and next steps
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Keep you informed throughout the process
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Work with other teams and partner agencies where needed
Complaints and feedback
If you are unhappy with our service, you have the right to make a complaint.
You can complain:
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Online through our complaints form
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By phone: 01962 848 400
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By writing to:
Winchester City Council
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LJ
If you're not satisfied with our response, you can escalate your complaint through our complaints process.
If you remain dissatisfied after completing the process, you can contact the Housing Ombudsman.
Our commitment
We're committed to:
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Treating tenants with fairness, dignity and respect
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Providing clear, accessible and consistent information
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Making lawful, proportionate and evidence-based decisions
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Supporting tenants to sustain their tenancy
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Resolving issues at the earliest possible stage
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Working with partners to deliver effective housing services
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Learning from feedback and complaints to improve our services
We follow the standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing and aim to provide safe, well-managed homes and communities across the Winchester district.