Eastlight Community Homes

On 1 July 2020, Greenfields Community Housing and Colne Housing merged to form Eastlight Community Homes.

If you are a Greenfields resident, please continue using your usual contact methods, as they continue to work. Your services, including those featured on this page, continue to be available.

Covid-19 Update

All non-essential house moves were put on hold until recently, following Government advice.  We’re glad to say that they have now resumed, but there are changes that we’ve made to help to keep you and our staff safe.

These include:

• Checking if you are currently self-isolating, showing symptoms or shielding, as this may prevent you from being able to move safely
• Carrying out all checks and processes over the phone and by email, wherever possible
• Asking you to send us photos of your ID and your face so we can ensure you are the correct applicant.

We will do all we can to support you throughout the process to make it go as smoothly as possible.  However, there may be some delays due to the changes we are having to put in place, so we thank you in advance for your patience.

If you are exchanging with another landlord they may not be currently progressing mutual exchanges and, if that is the case, we will have to put your application on hold until they start again.

Downsizing

If you are interested in downsizing (moving to a smaller home), you can apply for our Tenant Incentive Scheme, which may give you a cash reward. The scheme applies to all tenants who would like to downsize; whether the property you are moving to is inside or outside the district.

You can apply for the scheme by registering with Gateway to Homechoice. Your council will then give you a priority banding. When you have received your log-in details you can place a bid on a smaller property.

You will receive £500 for one bedroom, or £750 in total for 2 or more bedrooms on moves through the Housing Register. Payment will made shortly after your move, and any charges or outstanding rent will be deducted from the incentive payment.

To register with Gateway to Homechoice, visit the website here: Gateway to Homechoice.

We wish you lots of success and good luck in your new home.

Mutual exchange

A mutual exchange is when you swap your home with another social housing tenant. You can move within the district or anywhere else in the country, without the need to go through the usual housing waiting list or letting systems. Tenants with a Secure or Assured Tenancy can apply for a mutual exchange.  Tenants who are affected by Welfare Reform or the Bedroom Tax will receive a one off payment of £500 for Mutual Exchange moves.

All parties in the exchange must complete the Greenfields Mutual Exchange application form below.

Once you have signed all the required paperwork for your exchange it is legally binding and you are expected to move on the date agreed with your landlord.

Please remember that if you wish to carry out a mutual exchange, you must ask your own landlord for permission to exchange. In some cases your application may be refused.

To find out more about mutual exchanges, visit the House Exchange website here: House Exchange.

To find out how to apply for a mutual exchange, please read our Mutual Exchange leaflet. You can download this from the ‘Supporting documents’ box.

Please only fill in this form once you have agreed in principle to carry out an exchange with someone. We aim to complete all mutual exchanges within two weeks of our checks being carried out, and will agree a moving date with you.