Your downsizing options

Two of the bungalows at our Lever Gardens Court development in Little Lever, Bolton. There are solar panels on the roof.

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Thinking about downsizing?

You might be thinking about downsizing if your current home feels too large – perhaps because family members have moved out or your circumstances have changed. This page explains your downsizing options.

Downsizing can have clear benefits, such as more manageable living spaces and lower utility bills.

By moving to a smaller home, you’ll also help to free up larger properties for families who need more space, ensuring that we can make best use of our properties.

There are different ways to start the downsizing process, but some might be quicker than others. We’ve included full details on each downsizing option below.

1. A mutual exchange might be the quickest option for downsizing:

Through a mutual exchange, you’re able to ‘swap’ your property with another Bolton at Home tenant, a tenant of another housing association, or a council tenant living outside of Bolton.

A mutual exchange could be ideal if you’re looking to downsize or move to another location, and it can be much quicker than the two other options listed below.

You need to meet certain eligibility criteria, including not being a starter tenant, to be able to access the mutual exchange scheme.

Learn more about mutual exchange

2. We might be able to help you to downsize:

If you let us know you’d like to downsize and it’s deemed appropriate for your situation, we’ll attempt to identify properties that might meet your needs (for example, if you want to move from a three-bedroomed house to a one-bedroomed house).

Please remember that it’s unlikely we’ll be able to meet your exact needs in terms of property size, type, or location – but we’ll do our best to ensure you have a property that better suits your current needs.

See our contact details

3. Contact your local choice-based lettings scheme:

Many choice-based lettings schemes (like Homes for Bolton) will place a high priority/needs status against your application when you tell them you’d like to downsize.

You’ll then be placed alongside other residents with high priority/needs status on the housing register, meaning it could be some time before you’ll be shortlisted for downsizing options. In most cases, it’s much quicker to downsize using one of the options above.

Find your local choice-based lettings scheme

All pages in this section:

Help with homelessness

A row of terrace properties on one of our estates. They have grassed gardens at the front.

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Get support if you're homeless or at risk of losing your home:

It’s important to get help as soon as you can if you’re homeless, or if you think you’re about to lose your home.

There are organisations and charities who can help, no matter what your current circumstances are.

Get help with homelessness from your local council:

Your local council will be able to offer support if you’re homeless or at risk of being homeless.

To find support from your local council, tap the link to the gov.uk website below and enter your postcode.

Get support with homelessness from your local council

Live in Bolton? Bolton Council can help with homelessness:

If you live in Bolton and would like more information on how they can support you with homelessness, tap the link below.

Get support with homelessness from your Bolton Council

All pages in this section:

Homes for rent (social housing)

To apply for social housing, you’ll need to register with your local council’s choice-based lettings scheme. This page explains what choice-based lettings schemes are and how to use them to apply for a home in one of the areas we serve.

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