It can be difficult to give up a family home that you have lived in for a long time. But we encourage you to consider whether you still need a property as large as you have.
If you are under occupying and have held your tenancy for at least two years, you can apply to downsize, or move to a smaller home. You can also apply for a grant of up to £2,750 to help cover the cost of moving.
Advantages to downsizing include:
- lower utility bills
- less rent to pay
- no bedroom tax
- lower council tax banding
As a general rule you are entitled to one bedroom for each of the following:
- an adult couple
- another person aged 16 or older
- any two children of the same sex aged 15 or younger
- any two children aged 10 or younger, regardless of sex
- a non-resident carer, if somebody in your household has a disability and needs overnight care
Read section 5.4 of our Lettings Policy [PDF, 0.3MB] to find out more about bedroom entitlement.
Apply to downsize to a smaller home
If you want to move to a smaller council home, the first step is to register for Home-Link.
You can also try to find a mutual exchange and swap your home with another council or housing association tenant who is looking for a larger home.
If your property is owned and managed by Cambridge City Council and you have been a tenant for at least two years, we will pay you an allowance for moving (subject to approval and funds being available at the time of your move).
| Moving from | Moving to | Amount payable | Removal allowance | Total grant payable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom property | 1-bedroom property | £500 | £400 | £900 |
| 3-bedroom property | 2-bedroom property | £500 | £600 | £1,100 |
| 3-bedroom property | 1-bedroom property | £1,000 | £600 | £1,600 |
| 4-bedroom property | 3-bedroom property | £500 | £700 | £1,200 |
| 4-bedroom property | 2-bedroom property | £1,000 | £700 | £1,700 |
| 4-bedroom property | 1-bedroom property | £1,500 | £700 | £2,200 |
| 5-bedroom property | 4-bedroom property | £500 | £750 | £1,250 |
| 5-bedroom property | 3-bedroom property | £1,000 | £750 | £1,750 |
| 5-bedroom property | 2-bedroom property | £1,500 | £750 | £2,250 |
| 5-bedroom property | 1-bedroom property | £2,000 | £750 | £2,750 |
Apply for a grant to help you move home
You will also need to fill in the Under-occupancy incentive scheme application form to be considered for the downsizing grant.
Before completing this form, you should register for a housing transfer through Home-Link, or find a mutual exchange.
