The Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement: What You Need to Know

The Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement is a policy aimed at facilitating the movement of social housing tenants across London. The agreement ensures that tenants of social housing in one borough can move to another borough if they want to. This is especially beneficial for those who may need to move for work or a change in family circumstances. Here are some key details about the Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement:

1. What is the Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement?

This agreement is a partnership between 32 London boroughs, the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority (GLA). The aim of the agreement is to allow social housing tenants to move from one borough to another without losing their tenancy rights. This means that they can move to a new borough and continue to enjoy the same level of social housing support.

2. How does the agreement work?

The agreement is designed to make it easier for social housing tenants to move between boroughs within London. To be eligible, tenants must be living in social housing provided by a local authority or a registered housing association. They must also be in good standing with their current landlord and have no issues with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.

Under the agreement, tenants can apply to their own council or to other boroughs for a transfer. Once a transfer is agreed, the tenant can move to the new borough and take up social housing there. The new borough will take over responsibility for providing the tenant with housing support.

3. What are the benefits of the agreement?

The Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement offers a number of benefits to social housing tenants. It allows them to move more easily if they need to, for example, to be closer to work or to care for a family member. It also gives them more choice and flexibility when it comes to social housing. Tenants can apply to a wider range of boroughs for housing, rather than being limited to their own borough.

The agreement also benefits boroughs by helping to balance the demand for social housing across London. It allows boroughs with a surplus of social housing to help meet the needs of other boroughs where there is more demand. This means that social housing can be allocated more efficiently, helping to reduce waiting times for tenants.

4. How can tenants apply for a transfer?

Tenants who want to move under the Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement can apply through their own council or by contacting other boroughs directly. They will need to provide information about their current tenancy, their reasons for wanting to move, and any special needs they have. The new borough will assess the application and will take into account factors such as the tenant`s priority for housing and the availability of suitable properties.

5. Conclusion

The Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement is a valuable policy that helps to support social housing tenants in London. It allows tenants to move more easily and to access a wider range of social housing options. By facilitating the movement of tenants across boroughs, the agreement also helps to ensure that social housing is allocated more efficiently, reducing waiting times for tenants. If you are a social housing tenant in London, it is worth exploring whether the Pan London Housing Reciprocal Agreement could benefit you.