Rightsizing - Support Council tenants to find a new, smaller home

Larger homes especially 3-bedroom and above are in high demand in Darlington, with lots of families on our waiting list.

We recognise that some households may be living in a home which for one reason or another is too large or doesn’t have the communal facilities that you now need or is too expensive for them to run.

Our Rightsizing offer is for tenants living in larger homes to move to smaller homes and free up these homes for families

Rightsizing means finding a home that’s right for you now, and in the future. This might mean moving to a smaller home or somewhere on one level. It might mean you can move to be near family or to stay close to amenities but in a smaller home. It could mean exploring good neighbour or sheltered housing options.

Every person will need different things from their home.

It is a voluntary scheme, which means that you do not have to move unless you choose to, but if you do choose, we can help you.

Each person is different so the benefits can be different however rightsizing can help you:

·         Have more disposable income because the rent or bills on a smaller property can be less.

·         Feel safer in your home because it meets your needs better.

·         Have more free time because a smaller home can be easier to manage, clean and maintain.

·         Improve your social life, your new home could be closer to local community centres, nearer to resident groups and activities.

·         Provide you with more support, your new home may benefit from our Lifeline service.

·         Feel content knowing your home meets your current and future needs better.

You will be eligible for Rightsizing if you meet any of the criteria below:

·         You’re a tenant of Darlington Borough Council Housing Services and have spare bedrooms.

·         Your current home has one or more bedrooms spare.

·         You are not in current arrears or have a court order against you.

·         You are not in breach of any part of your tenancy agreement.

Rightsizing only applies when tenants move to a smaller home it does not apply if you are moving to a larger property.

If you’re thinking of Rightsizing you should firstly talk to your Housing Management Officer who will be able to tell you more about the properties that we have across Darlington and local rural villages, where they are located, the amenities available and can help you make an application on Darlington HomeSearch if you wish to.

If you are interested in good neighbour or sheltered housing, we can arrange for you to visit any of our sheltered or good neighbour schemes and for you to meet the Lifeline Scheme Manager who can answer any questions you have about Lifeline and the activities in the community centre and communal spaces. 

There is no commitment from you at this point to move.

If you are downsizing from a 2-bedroom or larger house to a 1-bedroom flat or bungalow we may be able to help you financially (up to a reasonable cost) for items for your new home such as new carpets, removals or to replace built-in furniture to help make the move easier for you.

We will give you priority banding on Darlington HomeSearch to move to smaller accommodation which will give you more opportunity to move.

We can set up automatic bidding so they system can match you to the type of home and area you would like to move to, so you don’t have to check each week.

We can arrange viewings with outgoing tenants and can accompany you on these if you wish to answer any questions you may have.

We can help you with re-direction of post, setting up new utilities and giving you as much help as you need to make your move smoother.

You can contact Housing Services:

• By email: [email protected]

• By telephone: 01325 405333.

• In person at the Town Hall.

• Via your digital tenancy Darlington Home Online at https://www.darlington.gov.uk/housing/darlington-home-online