Existing Residents

Estuary Housing Association Ltd provides a variety of homes for single people, couples, families, and the elderly. Our homes are many in the Essex boroughs. 

Although we manage over 3000 homes the number of properties that are available to let each year is very small.

How we let our empty properties. 

We allocate our rental homes from the following sources: 

• The local councils’ waiting lists
• Our transfer list (for our own residents to apply to register on)
• Our own waiting list – currently only open for the Southend Borough

We have agreements with local councils to allocate a percentage of our empty homes to people from their waiting lists and  it is therefore a good idea to be registered on their waiting list as well as approaching us.

The rest of our empty homes are let to people on our own waiting list our Selection and Allocation policy explains how this works.

If you are already an Estuary tenant and you wish to move you will need to complete a transfer form. You will only be able to register for a transfer if you have a clear rent account. You also need to keep your property in a good condition otherwise an offer of accommodation may be refused. If you need help in completing the form please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

Open market renting

A small number of our homes are let without restrictions and you do not need to be on a waiting list. These properties are let on an assured shorthold tenancy basis and the rents are set at private rental level. We have properties of this type in different areas across Essex and Suffolk borders.

If you would like to find out more please contact Juliet Banks on 01702 445272 or alternatively contact our Centre Place office on 0845 634 0635. You can e-mail by clicking here.

Shared Ownership

Shared ownership is a part buy/part rent scheme where you buy a share in a home, normally by raising a mortgage, and pay rent for the share you have not purchased. You can purchase between 25% and 75% of the property and pay us rent on the remaining share. You can then `stair-case’ your ownership by buying further shares until you own the whole property, if you wish

Please click on Buying a Home button for more information.

Resales of these properties are very limited however Estuary is currently building  more shared ownership homes. If you wish to apply to go onto our mailing list for resales contact our sales team on 0845 2728727 or e-mail us at sales@estuary.co.uk

Click here to see details of our shared ownership properties currently available

Further information on associations that operate such schemes can be obtained from your local authority or housing aid centre.

Transferring to another property

Existing residents who are not on a starter tenancy, have no rent arrears or other breach of tenancy can apply to register for our waiting list. A home visit will be carried out prior to any offer of accommodation and if your home has not been kept to the required standard the offer may be withdrawn.

Contact our Centre Place office on  0845 634 0635 or e-mail by clicking here.

Mutual exchange

This is where you literally swap homes with another council or housing association tenant.   Local authorities and other housing associations may hold a register of tenants looking to exchange.  Often residents advertise for exchanges in local shops and newspapers. You will need to look at the registers on a regular basis to see if there is something you like.  In areas of high housing demand this is often the quickest way to move

All mutual exchanges must be agreed by Estuary and any other landlords involved prior to you arranging to swap. Once you have found someone to swap with you and your exchange partner will need to complete certain forms. (click here to download).

Homeswapper

This is a national register of council and housing association residents who wish to mutually exchange homes. As Estuary subscribes to this service it is completely free for our residents to join. For more information look at their website - http://www.homeswapper.co.uk.

Please remember you must always get approval from your landlord first before swapping your home. If you do not do this the exchange could be illegal and you may be evicted.