A transfer is when you are a Lister tenant and you wish to move yourself and your household to another empty Lister flat.
If you wish to exchange (do a swap) with another tenant – whether in Lister or in another council, housing association or co-operative flat – see our Exchanges page.
If you wish to do a move to another housing association or co-operative or council empty flat in Edinburgh , you need to apply to EdIndex – see our How to apply page. Some housing associations are not part of EdIndex and have their own allocation systems.
For more information visit the websites of the following: Bield HA, Hanover (Scotland) HA.
Arranging a transfer
To register for a transfer, contact the Lister office for a transfer application form. Once this is completed, signed and returned, Lister will assess it and confirm this in writing.
The general conditions for all moves are:
- All occupants must move out and vacant possession given to Lister. If only part of the household seek rehousing then it is not a transfer, and they should apply through EdIndex for rehousing. Lister office staff can give advice on this.
- Tenants must leave the flat in a fair and tidy condition, and in reasonable decoration. A maintenance inspection will be carried out before you leave to assess this. Where a tenant is elderly or disabled these requirements may be reviewed.
- Four weeks’ notice (28 days) must be given to vacate a tenancy. The rent must be paid on your existing tenancy to Lister for this period even if you move out sooner (unless we can relet your flat before the end of the 28 days).
- It is hoped that tenants requesting transfers will have a clear rent account. Applicants with rent arrears may be considered for transfer to lower cost housing if this would assist their financial position. They must be keeping up with an arrears repayment agreement.
Lister has a points system for assessing transfer applications and a copy of the policy and points system can be downloaded – see Lister HC Transfer policy and Lister HC Transfer points May 2019. Medical points would only be applied if the planned change of flats would assist the medical condition.
Transfer applicants are recommended to consider as wide a choice of types, locations and floor levels of flats within Lister. We have very few vacancies and they are in high demand. We also have to consider applications on the general EdIndex housing list including those homeless and in other priority needs.
The Lister staff can provide additional advice so please contact us for assistance. If there is any change in your circumstances since you filled in a transfer form, please let the Lister office know as soon as possible. Please keep contact details – mobile phone numbers, etc., up to date with us too. Thanks.
