Downsizing or upsizing your council property

Right Size service

Our Right Size service may be able to help you if you would like to downsize to a smaller property and has funding to support you.

We provide one-to-one support throughout the moving process.

Eligibility

You must:

• be a North Northamptonshire Council tenant
• live in an under-occupied family home and downsize by at least one bedroom
• have no housing-related debt
• have a home which would be of acceptable standard to re-let to another tenant quickly
• not be in serious breach of your tenancy conditions

The scheme isn't available if you:

• have a possession order against them for any reason
• have been served with a notice seeking possession or an introductory notice of proceedings for possession
• are an introductory tenant
• failed a preliminary inspection (unless your financial incentive to downsize can be used to sort out the issues in full)
• owe a housing-related debt (unless your financial incentive can repay your housing-related debts in full)

Support and incentives

A dedicated member of our team will help you through from start to finish with an agreed personal action plan and tailored support package.

Support can include:

• finding a garage to swap to if you already have one and want another
• offering you a garage free for up to 12 weeks to allow you to store your unwanted goods before disposal or finding them new homes
• supporting bidding for a property which would meet your current needs
• assistance to contact utility suppliers and notifying them about the move (e.g. doctors, dentist, banks, car insurers)

You could also receive a cash incentive to help you move. This is based on the number of rooms you are giving up, any disabled adaptions it has that you no longer need and where you choose to move to. You can use this funding for a variety of support including:

• use of a skip
• arranging removals or paying for you to hire a van
• buying carpets or refitting existing ones
• disconnecting and reconnecting appliances (e.g. cookers and washing machines) and telephone, TV aerial and digital receiving systems
• repaying any housing-related debt which would stop you moving
• repaying rechargeable repairs needed to pass a preliminary inspection

The maximum total package will depend on individual choices and your current circumstances.

Apply

Please contact your Housing officer. They will visit and:

• demonstrate how you can maximise your potential downsizing fund
• discuss any problems
• complete the application form
• agree a personal action plan with you for your 'Right Size' move.

If you are already a Keyways applicant, you must contact your Housing Officer to complete the application process before you start bidding.

Last updated 19 March 2025