Grants available for tenants wishing to downsize

Are you a Midlothian Council tenant? Is your home bigger than you need? 

Changes

As time goes on, your housing needs might have changed.  This could be perhaps due to children flying the nest or a change in family circumstances.

Larger homes needed for families

We need to increase the availability of larger properties for families. With this in mind, the council will be reaching out to older tenants living in 4 bedroom properties to chat about the option of downsizing to a smaller more manageable home, to help free up larger properties for families in need.

Voluntary

No one is obliged to move and the decision to move is voluntary.

Incentive to move scheme

We offer grants to our tenants who wish to move to a smaller council property through normal letting or by a mutual exchange. As well as tenants who may want to downsize from a four bedroom property, the grant is also available to anyone downsizing from three bedroom properties and upwards. 

Grants

• Midlothian Council tenants who downsize by 1 bedroom receive £1000
•  Midlothian Council tenants who downsize by 2 or more bedrooms receive £1500

Options

The council has a range of one and two bedroom properties that may be more suitable for tenants considering downsizing and we can offer support to make the move as smooth as possible.

Benefits of moving

Cllr Stuart McKenzie, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “Due to a change in circumstances some tenants may be living in homes that are now too large for them. There are benefits to moving to a smaller home if your current home is bigger than required, for example smaller homes could save money as they will be cheaper to heat. Also, if you get an Incentive to Move grant it could be put towards decorating your new home or something special.”

More information

• For more information about the scheme or to express your interest, please contact Ellidh McKay on 0131 271 3394 or email Ellidh.McKay@midlothian.gov.uk.