Grants for moving to a smaller home

The special transfer payment scheme (STP)

We want to make accommodation available to those who need it most. There are many families in the borough who are waiting to be housed or are living in overcrowded conditions due to limited availability of larger homes.

Moving to a smaller home has many incentives including:

• moving closer to family and friends
• lower energy bills for smaller properties
• less maintenance and upkeep work
• reduced rent for smaller properties

What the STP scheme offers

If you are eligible for the scheme you will receive priority band (Band 1) for a transfer to a smaller home via Croydon Choice.

You will be awarded £2,000 for each bedroom you give up (the maximum payable is £8,000). For example, if you are moving from a 3 bedroom home to a 1 bedroom home you will receive a payment of £4,000. 

Any former or current housing related debts, such as rent arrears, rechargeable repairs or court costs will be deducted from your lump sum.

If you are a council tenant, we will pay for the hire of one removals van, conditions subject to our approval.

Who can apply

To qualify for the scheme you must be:

• a secure council tenant living in Croydon or an assured tenant of the housing associations with homes in Croydon
• living in a home that has more bedrooms than you need
• prepared to move to a smaller home with fewer bedrooms than your current home

Not all housing associations in Croydon take part in the STP scheme, so you should check with your landlord to find out if yours does.

Who cannot apply

You will not qualify for the scheme if you:

• transfer to a smaller property because of medical priority, or you are moving into Extra Care
• are required to move as an under-occupying successor following the death of the tenant
• fail to give vacant possession of the property you move out of
• evict a member of the household who becomes homeless
• move home on management grounds because of a housing emergency such as anti-social behaviour or disrepair
• arrange a move yourself without the help of the council
• move through mutual exchange

How to apply

Complete the self-assessment transfer form. For support with completing the form, or to receive a paper copy, email: hsg-allocations@croydon.gov.uk.

Start now

If you have any questions about the scheme you can email downsizing@croydon.gov.uk