Support for anyone asked to move home to enable new homes to be built
We often choose to redevelop existing council estates where many of the homes are in poor condition, with structural issues creating fire and safety risks, and widespread damp and mould issues.
These issues mean that it is unaffordable for the council to continually repair and refurbish the homes to meet the standard tenants deserve.
Moving people out of their homes is never an easy decision, but it is often the only way the council can afford to address poor housing conditions facing council tenants who living in ageing properties.
The council has successfully supported over 300 families to move from outdated, unsuitable council homes into high-quality, sustainable new council homes across the city, which are some of the nearly 900 new council homes built by CIP since 2018.
Case study: moving into a newly built council home
Diana lived in Hanover and Princess Courts for almost 23 years before moving to a new home in our Ironworks development in 2022.
Her three-bedroom flat at Hanover Court had provided stability for herself and her children, but by 2021, the estate was no longer fit for purpose, with structural issues, cladding concerns, and homes not meeting modern standards. She was offered the chance to move to a new home at Ironworks or Timberworks.
Diana received top priority on the council’s Home-Link system, a grant to cover moving costs, and a home loss payment, which helped her furnish her new home.
Diana said: “It was a huge decision to leave the place I’d lived the longest, but the council’s support made the move possible, both practically and emotionally. I love that my new flat is energy efficient, quiet and healthy to live in. If regeneration happens in your area, seize the opportunity; it can be the start of something positive.”
Support for council tenants
We have a strong track record of supporting tenants through the process of moving out of homes that are no longer fit for purpose, often into new build council homes.
Feedback from tenants is that they have been well supported, and that their new homes are more spacious, warmer, free of damp and mould, and with lower energy bills than current inefficient council homes.
We hope that some recent case studies provide reassurance to any residents facing the prospect of redevelopment:
Support for council tenants includes:
- priority choice on a suitable, like-for-like council home using the council’s choice-based lettings system (Home-Link) – including brand new council homes
- one-to-one support based on individual needs and circumstances – such as where you work, where your children go to school, if you want to remain living close to particular neighbours, if you need to be within walking distance of particular services, any practical help you might need to move, as well as any support you might need to bid on or buy a new home
- a home-loss payment, currently £8,100, plus an initial £1,250 payment to cover moving expenses
- the right of return to the new development after work is completed, where desired
Support for homeowners
Support for homeowners includes:
- being offered market rate for your home based on a property valuation by an RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) valuer
- an additional statutory compensation payment of 10% of the property value (if you live in the property) or 7.5% (if you do not live in the property) alongside reasonable disturbance costs
- assistance with moving costs, including legal fees and stamp duty land tax
- a right of return to a new build home in the development area where desired. We recognise that sale prices of new-build properties may be beyond the means of some current owners, so consideration will be given to a shared equity option
- one-to-one support based on individual needs and circumstances throughout the moving process, from initial property searches through to organising the practical aspects of the move
- after making every effort to acquire property through mutual agreement, we may consider the making of a compulsory purchase order (CPO)
