The Fresh Start Scheme helps secure tenants to downsize to a smaller property within the London Borough of Barnet.

You may be eligible to receive up to £15,000 when you downsize

  • We now offer £2,000 per bedroom given up, to a maximum of £10,000 to eligible tenants who downsize to a smaller property.
  • In addition to this payment, we offer additional payments up to £5,000 for sorely needed properties. Currently, we are offering payments of £2,000 for partially wheelchair accessibility property and £5,000 for fully wheelchair accessible properties.

Please see the table below for a breakdown of how these payments are made.

    Existing bedrooms
    2 3 4 5 6
New bedrooms 1 £2,000 £4,000 £6,000 £8,000 £10,000
2   £2,000 £4,000 £6,000 £8,000
3     £2,000 £4,000 £6,000
4       £2,000 £4,000
5         £2,000

 

To help make the move as smooth as possible, our Fresh Start Scheme also offers to:

  • Pay your moving costs.
  • Pay for the installation of your white goods, including washing machine and cooker.
  • Pay for your mail to be redirected for 2 months.
  • Provide B&Q vouchers to help you to redecorate.

On top of this, our Fresh Start Scheme operatives are on hand to guide you through the process, and to help you to find a new home that you want to live in, which suits your needs.

Why should I downsize?

  • You could move to a home which better suits your needs.
  • Smaller homes can lead to lower costs and lower bills, saving you money.
  • You could save money by removing the under-occupancy charge.
  • You could find a brand new home to fall in love with.

Eligibility

  • This scheme is for secure social housing tenants in the borough, if you are unsure whether you would be eligible, please contact our fresh start scheme operatives at: freshstart@barnethomes.org.
  • Please note that if you have rent arrears, this will be deducted from your Fresh Start payment.
  • Our fresh start scheme operatives have discretion surrounding what properties qualify as partially or fully wheelchair accessible.

Please direct any further queries to the fresh start scheme inbox: freshstart@barnethomes.org, or call: 0208 359 4695.

Please consider that our operatives will usually be working between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday but they will often be engaged with clients over the phone. If you are unable to get through, please leave a voicemail, and send an email to the address above.