If you are a social housing tenant in Barnet, you may be eligible for a payment of up to £15,000 if you downsize to a property with fewer bedrooms through our Fresh Start Scheme.

Assistance to help you move
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 three 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.

The financial incentive
Through the Fresh Start Scheme, Barnet Council now offers £2,000 for every bedroom that you downsize by, up to a maximum of £10,000. For example, moving from a 4 bed to a 2 bed would gain you £4,000, whilst moving from a 5 bed to a 1 bed would gain you £8,000.

We also offer additional payments up to £5,000 for property types that we need most. Currently, we offer payments of £2,000 for partially adapted, wheelchair accessible properties, or £5,000 for fully adapted, wheelchair accessible properties.

Find out more!
To find out more about the scheme, whether you are eligible, and how to get involved. Please visit here, or call: 020 8359 4695

Meet Sarah

One of our valued residents at Barnet Homes. She used to live alone in a two-bedroom property until she decided to make a change. Seeking more social connections and a vibrant community, she applied for our Fresh Start Scheme and moved into our sheltered accommodation.

Our sheltered flats offer independent living with private facilities, along with shared spaces for socialising and events. For the safety of the tenants in these schemes, each flat is equipped with an emergency pull cord, and a visit is made once per day to the scheme by a housing officer, who can come and say hello or not as the tenants’ desire. This offer ensures peace of mind while respecting residents’ preferences for interaction.

When Sarah moved to sheltered accommodation via the Fresh Start Scheme, she was eligible for a £2000 reward for relinquishing a bedroom and she says she couldn’t be happier with the process.

If Sarah’s uplifting journey resonates with you or a family member, we invite you to explore the opportunities awaiting you in our sheltered accommodation schemes. To learn more please reach out to our dedicated Fresh Start Scheme officer, Denise, using the contact details provided