Homeseekers

The Council is aware of an online scam circulating on social media. It claims to be able to make your housing application a priority and give you the right to buy after three years. We only ever allocate homes according to our allocations policy. Every application goes through a series of checks to make sure it is valid and correctly prioritised. If anyone ever approaches you asking for money to secure a council home, it is a scam.

• Never hand over money if approached by someone 'claiming' to be a council officer, or able to affect your housing application
• If you see an online post that makes such claims report it to us immediately using the details below. Get a screenshot if possible. Do not contact the person
• If you are ever approached in person in and around the town hall, report it to the council’s Facilities Management staff immediately
• Council officers would never ask for money to deal with housing applications
• Report all approaches or requests for money to the police.

If you have concerns, call the fraud reporting hotline on 0800 528 0294 or email socialhousingfraud@towerhamlets.gov.uk

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The Council has made changes to its Parking Transfer Scheme (PTS) to help overcrowded families and social tenants under occupying their property find more suitable homes.

The PTS allows families living in both overcrowded or under-occupied properties to move into car-free homes, while retaining one on-street parking permit.

The scheme was seen as a barrier to moving for some families, so it has been amended, effective 30 November 2023. Read more below.
 

Car Free Homes

The Council's 'car free homes’ planning policy was introduced in Tower Hamlets in the late 1990s to help reduce traffic congestion and better manage the limited supply of on-street parking spaces. This initiative also helps to reduce the level of air pollution from motor vehicles and encourages more people to walk, cycle and go by public transport. 

By living in a car-free property, you have agreed to certain terms which means you can apply for visitor vouchers, but only a resident permit if you are a blue badge holder, you have been decanted, or you qualify under the Permit Transfer Scheme.
 

Permit Transfer Scheme
 

The PTS is subject to the following criteria:

1.  The applicant must be living in:
   
   1.1  an overcrowded social or private rented property and move to a larger social rented property with two or more bedrooms; or
   
   1.2  an under-occupied social rented property and move to a social rented property with less bedrooms.
    
2.  The applicant must satisfy the resident on-street parking permit eligibility criteria.
    
3.  Only one on-street resident permit can be held in the household.
    
4.  If a member of the household obtains or holds an on-street resident permit under the blue badge exemption, then the household cannot obtain or hold a permit under the PTS as well.
    
5.  These criteria came into force on 30 November 2023. Therefore, a resident will not qualify for a permit under the new rules if they had moved prior to this date under any circumstances, and there will be no right of appeal.
    

Please see full details on the council webpage.

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Is your home overcrowded and you need more space, or maybe its too big and you want to downsize? Find out what options are available to you at our open day.
Housing options officers, providers and landlords will be available on the day for you to speak to and get advice, as well as financial and welfare information. London Fire Brigade will be giving fire safety advice and there will also be fun activities for children.
Nearest transport: Bus 25, 106, 205, 254, D3 Tube: District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lines Overground: Whitechapel.

We have upgraded the Homeseekers website, and it now includes the Ask Mo (Enhanced Housing Options) portal, directly on the web site home page. 

Ask Mo is a tool that asks a series of questions and then guides you through the different options which are suitable for you.

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