Move home

Move to an empty home

This page is for people who already rent a home with MTVH.

If you don’t rent with us and you are looking for a home, contact your local council.

If you need to move, you can apply for an empty home through a website called Housing Jigsaw. You’ll be added to a waiting list of people who need a home if your application is accepted.

We prioritise applications based on who needs a home most urgently. Demand for housing is high, and we can’t guarantee you’ll get a home.

You can also swap your home with another tenant – this may be a quicker way of moving home.

Here’s how the process of moving to an empty home works.

Step 1: join the waiting list

Who can join

You can join if you rent with MTVH, unless your tenancy type is any of the following:

  • Right to Buy
  • London Living Rent
  • Intermediate or market rent

Check your tenancy agreement if you’re not sure.

You must also have passed your 12-month tenancy probation period.

You can’t join if you part-own a property.

We may reject your application if you’ve breached your tenancy agreement – for example, a history of anti-social behaviour or not paying your rent on time.

 

How to  join

You can join the waiting list on Housing Jigsaw. It’s a website where you can view available homes and register your interest in the ones you want to move to.

When you apply to join the waiting list, you must provide information about yourself and any household members, including why you want to move.

If you need help joining, contact us online or call us on 0203 535 3535. Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (closed on bank holidays).

Step 2: you’re given a banding

We’ll review your application to join the waiting list. If you’re accepted, we’ll contact you to let you know your banding.

Your banding decides your position on the waiting list. It ranges from A1 (highest priority) to C1 (lowest priority). The banding includes your household if you’re applying with people you live with (like a partner or children).

Applicants within bands are generally prioritised based on the date the banding was awarded.

Step 3: choosing your home

Look for available properties on Housing Jigsaw. If you see one you like, you can register your interest (called ‘placing a bid’). Hundreds of people may bid on a home and you’re not guaranteed to get one.

If you’re in band A1, we’ll identify a suitable home for you and let you know when one becomes available.

Step 4: if you’re offered a home

We will contact you to discuss the next steps if we offer you a home. You’ll be able to view the home in person before you accept. We expect you to move to the home within 5 days of being offered it (if the home is available to move into).

If you disagree with an offer we’ve made

If you think a home we’ve offered you isn’t suitable for your circumstances, you can ask us to review our offer by making an appeal. You must make your appeal within 5 working days of when you refused the offer.

You can submit your appeal online or call us on 0203 535 3535, Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm. We’ll respond to your appeal with our decision within 10 working days. There is no guarantee that the home offered will still be available during the appeals process.

 

If you’re not happy with our decision after appealing

You can make a complaint to the Housing Ombudsman. The service is free and the Ombudsman carries out its investigations fairly and without taking sides.