Seaside and Country Homes scheme
Seaside and Country Homes (SCH) offers people who are aged 55 and over and live in social housing in London the opportunity to move to bungalows and flats, managed by housing associations located mainly across the south coast but also in eastern England and the west country.
The scheme helps around 150 households to move from London each year. Some of those who have moved in the past chose to do so to be closer to family or friends and, for many, the appeal lies in a quieter, more relaxed way of life, living among people of a similar age.
As well as giving older people the opportunity to move to a new area, the scheme helps homeless and overcrowded families in London. This is because it gives them the chance to move into the homes vacated by those people who move to the seaside or countryside.
Eligibility
Seaside and Country Homes is open to existing social housing tenants living in London, where at least one member of the household is age 55 or above.
- If you are making a joint application the lead applicant must be at least 55 years of age and must be a current tenant of the property on the application.
- If you intend to add a household member under the age of 55 they must be either your partner or spouse, current joint tenant, *registered carer or **dependent adult child. Second applicants aged under 55 are not able to become joint tenants of, or have succession rights to, Seaside and Country Homes properties.
- We can consider three person households where two members are a couple and the third person is a carer or dependant adult child. Please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility.
- Applicants should have no rent arrears or history of anti-social behaviour, and should not be going through possession proceedings or being evicted.
* Registered carers included on an application will be required to provide evidence to support this
**A dependant adult child (age 18 +) is someone who is unable to sustain their own tenancy and needs substantial ongoing support. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of this from their GP, other medical professional or support worker.
Locations included in the scheme
Over 3,000 properties, mainly two bedroom bungalows and one and two bedroom flats, are exclusively available to eligible applicants. These are dotted all along the south coast, from Cornwall in the south west to Norfolk and Lincolnshire in the east. Places are also available across the countryside, from Dorset to Cambridgeshire to Shropshire.
Some properties have private gardens or outdoor communal areas and are in peaceful, purpose built developments. They are ideal for single people, couples or others who have retired or wish to do so.
All our bungalows accept pets although there may be a limit on the number you can take with you (normally two). Unfortunately most of our flats do not accept pets, although there are a few that will accept them with permission. Please contact us if you are not sure.
Our Seaside and Country Homes Areas and Properties Guide gives you much more detail about the areas in which the properties are located, as well as the properties themselves. You can also download a PDF copy of the guide.
Please note that you can only view the locations and types of properties in those areas, by clicking the button below. We do not advertise vacant properties on our website.
How to apply
It is very important that you read our Seaside and Country Homes Areas and Properties Guide before you make your application. It will detail all the areas where we have properties and you can choose up to a maximum of 10 locations only.
If you would like to apply you can fill in an application form online. Please contact us if you would like advice or assistance in completing this form.
To apply online please click on the 'Apply now' button below and follow the guidance on screen.
If you wish to complete a hard copy of the application form, you can download a copy and send it to us by email or by post. You will find our contact details on the back of the form.
How applications are assessed
Seaside and Country Homes assesses an applicant’s priority based on the number of bedrooms within their current home. The greater the number, the greater priority you will have. If your current home has one or two bedrooms you are likely to be successful only if you are willing to move to a lower demand areas and details of these locations can be found in our Seaside and Country Homes Property guide and addendum.
The Seaside and Country Homes scheme is very popular, so we cannot guarantee a move to everyone who applies.
Information for social landlords
Most London boroughs currently participate in the Seaside and Country Homes scheme. Marketing material to help boroughs and housing associations to promote the scheme and assist their tenants is available below. We are happy to attend local housing options and other events that you may be organising, to speak to tenants direct about the scheme.
Please contact us if you would like hard copies of any of the material or would like us to attend a local event. Alternatively, for more information, please visit our Seaside and Country Homes FAQs page.
If you are already a Seaside and Country Homes tenant
Current tenants of a Seaside and Country Homes property may be able to apply for a transfer to another Seaside and Country Homes property, if they meet the following criteria:
• Applicants must have moved to their current home from London, via the Seaside and Country Homes scheme. Please note if you have moved to your current property via another route you are not eligible to apply for a transfer through us and should contact your landlord.
• There must be a legitimate reason for requesting a transfer, for example medical reasons, family support. This must be evidenced by supporting letter/documentation.
If you meet the above criteria you can apply for a transfer.
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