East Renfrewshire Council and Barrhead Housing are reminding tenants of the financial incentives available for mutual exchanges.
Any East Renfrewshire Council tenant who downsizes by at least one bedroom will receive £2,000, and then an additional £1,000 for each subsequent bedroom. For example, if a tenant downsizes from a three-bedroom to a one-bedroom property, they will receive £3,000. The incentives are open to all East Renfrewshire Council tenants. This applies to tenants offered a new tenancy as part of their application for re-housing or tenants who move as part of a mutual exchange.
Barrhead Housing tenants looking to rightsize to a smaller home that meets their needs can also speak to their local Customer Services Officer about incentives tailored to each household, such as assistance with the costs and practicalities of moving, or priority for newbuild development properties to free up larger family homes.
Tenants looking for a mutual exchange can use HomeSwapper: www.homeswapper.me/ a website that helps tenants swap council or housing association homes with other social tenants.
Joining HomeSwapper is simple and free of charge, and other local landlords are already using it. Once registered, tenants create their advert and will then be able to see 1000s of homes from all over the UK. The filtering system has different types of searches, including by distance and rent.
These incentives form part of the actions East Renfrewshire Council and Barrhead Housing are undertaking to tackle the local housing emergency, declared in 2024. Last year, the two organisations signed a strategic agreement that formally recognised how they will work together to increase and improve housing supply and services.
Environment and Housing Convener, Councillor Danny Devlin, said: “We continue to face a local housing emergency here in East Renfrewshire, so I’m pleased to see the Council’s ongoing work with Barrhead Housing to try and free up housing for those in need. The incentives are a great way of encouraging our tenants to have a think about a change they could make. If your circumstances have changed, and you think downsizing may work for you, have a look at the Homeswapper website or get in touch with our Council or Barrhead Housing officers to discuss.”
Barrhead Housing Chief Executive, Lorna Wilson, said: “Taking the decision to move home is life-changing for anyone, regardless of their circumstances.
“We understand that and hope the financial incentives on offer, along with practical support, advice and assurance, will make moving that little bit easier.”
She added: “The bigger picture, of course, is that this initiative is a good example of how we are working with the council to tackle the local housing crisis. However, in talking it through with individuals, couples and even families, we hope, first and foremost, to help and support them make the right decision – for them.”
