Moving on or buying your home
Exchanging your home
We are members of a service called homeswapper. This scheme helps residents to exchange their homes with residents of other landlords. Please contact your neighbourhood team and ask about Homeswapper before going any further as it is subject to certain terms and conditions and the agreement of both landlords involved. Your customer services manager or a member of the team will be able to give you more information.
Buying your home
If you have continually held a secure tenancy since before 15 January 1989, you may have the right to buy your Accent Home. If you are not sure whether you have a secure tenancy, please contact your neighbourhood team.
Right to buy
There are some exceptions to the right to buy, even if you meet the criteria. For example, you cannot buy your Accent Home if it is especially designed for older people, or for people with special needs. You cannot buy it if there are any possession or anti-social behaviour orders against you, or if you have outstanding rent arrears. Homes that are due to be demolished, or classed as temporary cannot be bought. There might also be other exceptions, depending on your personal circumstances.
Right to acquire
If your home was built with funds from the Housing Corporation after 1 April 1997, you may have the right to acquire it. This is different from the right to buy.
If you think you would like to buy or acquire your Accent Home, or you would like more information, please contact our legal team on 01274 717 500. You can also write to our registered office in Baildon, West Yorkshire.
It is important to understand that if you buy or acquire your home, you will become responsible for all its repairs and maintenance, and there will be other fees and management costs to pay. We recommend that you take independent advice from a reputable high street lender before you make any commitment.
Your home will be at risk if you cannot keep up the mortgage repayments against it.
Moving on
We want to make sure that you can move out of your home with us as little fuss and expense as possible.
First, you must give us notice of ending your tenancy. The notice period is stated in your tenancy agreement. You must pay your rent until your notice ends, whether you live there or not.
On the day you move out, turn off the water at the stop tap. Take meter readings for your gas, electric and water usage and tell your gas, electricity, phone and water companies that you are leaving. You should also make sure your phone is disconnected so you cannot be charged for any more calls.
You must return all your keys to us by 12 noon on the date of the termination letter we send you.
You must leave the property in good repair and decorative condition. You will be charged for any damage we think you have caused. Please read our recharges leaflet for more information.
Transferring to another home with us
If you would like to move to another home, but keep us at your landlord, you might be able to transfer to another one of our properties. Please contact your neighbourhood team and ask for a transfer. Your customer services manager or a member of the team will be able to give you more information.