Your tenancy

Your tenancy

Whether your living situation has changed or you’re looking for something new, there may come a time when your home no longer suits your needs. 

We're here to help with that. Here you can find information on moving, swapping homes (mutual exchange), potentially buying your home, or ending your tenancy with us.

Remember, you can always contact us to ask for important documents relating to your tenancy (e.g. your tenancy agreement).

Contact us

Applying for a home

If you would like a home then you need to join the London Borough of Tower Hamlets housing register. However, due to high demand for social housing and a shortage of homes, it's likely that you will be on there for a long time.

To find information about getting on the housing register for Tower Hamlets, and more about applying for social housing, click the button below.

Applying for social housing — Tower Hamlets Council

Moving home

Click the drop down's below for useful information about the different ways you can move or end your tenancy.

Mutual exchange

You can swap your home with another social housing resident through a mutual exchange, provided the new home matches your household’s size and age requirements.

To register for a mutual exchange, you need to use HomeSwapper

Register with HomeSwapper

Seaside & Country Homes Scheme

If you're looking for something quieter and more relaxed than London, and are aged 55 or over, you may be eligble to apply for the Seaside & Country Homes scheme. They move social housing residents out to properties on the coast managed by other housing associations.

Click below to read more about the scheme.

Apply to the scheme

Ending your tenancy

If you’ve decided you want to leave your THCH property, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Provide Notice: You must give us at least four weeks’ written notice.
  2. Complete Necessary Forms: Contact us to obtain the required forms.
  3. Prepare for Inspection: Allow us access to inspect your home before your tenancy ends for repairs or viewings.
  4. Return Keys: Ensure all keys are returned on time (late returns may incur charges).
  5. Clear Your Account: Ensure your rent account is fully paid.
  6. Remove Belongings: Clear all belongings and rubbish from the home and garden (charges may apply for unremoved items).
  7. Repair Damages: Repair or pay for any damages caused during your tenancy.
  8. Leave Energy Cards: Leave behind gas/electricity key cards if applicable.
  9. Notify Services: Inform the Post Office, Council Tax office, and utility/benefit providers about your move.

Right to Buy/Right to Acquire

You may be eligible to buy your home at a discount under the government’s Right to Buy or Right to Acquire schemes if you meet certain conditions:

  • You’re a council tenant or were a council tenant when your home transferred to a housing association.
  • The property is your only or main home.
  • You’ve been a public sector tenant for at least five years.
  • Your home is not in sheltered housing or designated for elderly/disabled residents.
  • The property is not due for demolition.
  • You have no legal problems with debt or possession orders.

You may also qualify for the Right to Acquire if your home was built or bought by THCH after 31 March 1997. Click the links below to find out more.

Right to Buy            Right to Acquire

Home contents insurance

While we do not cover contents as part of your tenancy, it’s worth considering home contents insurance to protect your possessions from theft, damage, or accidents.

We’ve partnered with Thistle Tenant Risks and Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited to offer the My Home Contents Insurance Scheme, specifically designed for social housing tenants.

Coverage includes:

  • Furniture, carpets, curtains
  • Clothes, bedding
  • Electrical items, jewellery, pictures, ornaments

How to learn more:

  • Call Thistle Tenant Risks on 0345 450 7288
  • Visit Thistle My Home for more details or to use the contents calculator.