The Fresh Start Scheme is designed to assist tenants who are under occupying their homes by allowing them to downsize to a smaller property within the Borough of Barnet. This scheme is available to secure council tenants or assured tenants if the landlord is a Housing Association. To join the scheme, tenants must have their landlord’s written permission and agree to a reciprocal agreement.
The Fresh Start Officer will conduct a property inspection and discuss potential re-charges. The scheme aims to provide tenants with a home of their choice in an area they want to live, offering practical help with the move and a payment of up to £15,000 for down-sizing to a property with fewer bedrooms. Please visit our website: www.barnethomes.org/ www.opendoorhomes.org for further information.
A Fresh Start Close to Home
When her children had grown up and moved out, Barnet Homes resident Nicole found herself living alone in a three-bedroom flat that no longer suited her needs. Following a cancer diagnosis, managing a larger home became increasingly difficult, so she decided it was time for a change.
With support from Barnet Homes’ Fresh Start Scheme, Nicole found a smaller one-bedroom home close to her doctor, hospital and local community. In this interview, she shares her downsizing journey and why she would encourage others to consider the scheme.
Q: How long you lived in your previous home?
A: I was a single parent with two young children when I moved into my first Barnet Homes property 26 years ago. It was a good-size ground floor flat with a balcony, exactly what I needed for my son and daughter. It was perfect for a small family.
Q: What made you decide to move to a smaller property through the Fesh Start Scheme?
A: I’ve got two reasons why I wanted to move to a smaller property. First, my children are now 32 and 26 years old and have both moved out. My daughter is married, has bought her own house and I’ve got my first grandchild. My son has a good job with the Ministry of Justice and moved into his own accommodation. I ended up alone in a three-bedroom flat.
Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with cancer back in February and the cleaning and maintenance of a larger home was too much for me.
Q: How did you hear about the Fresh Start Scheme?
A: I read about the Fresh Start Scheme in the Barnet Homes atHome magazine. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I thought that it would be better for me to move to a smaller place. I contacted Denise Bracken, Fresh Start officer at Barnet Homes and told her I decided it was time for me to call it a day and we needed to push things fast.
Q: Did you have any concerns about moving to a smaller home?
A: No. None.
Q: What was most important to you when looking for your new home?
A: I wanted somewhere not far from my doctor and the Royal Free Hospital; I’ve lived in this area for 26 years and didn’t want to move somewhere else. I also wanted a ground-floor flat because I have a cat that likes to go outside.
Q: How many properties did you view before finding your current home?
A: This home was the third property that I viewed, and this time Denise was spot on and found exactly what I was looking for. As soon as I saw it, I just fell in love with it and took it. Barnet Homes actually listened to my needs and wishes and made sure I stayed near my doctor and the Royal Free Hospital as I had requested.
Q: Has downsizing brought any unexpected benefits or disadvantages?
A: For me, downsizing has been 100% positive because my health comes first. Downsizing from a three-bedroom flat to a one-bedroom flat means I can now manage the cleaning. It’s more compact, I don’t have to do massive hoovering and I don’t have three rooms to clean.
With cancer, you get extremely tired. The fact that everything is close by, the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom is very important for me at the moment. For me, downsizing was a complete bonus with very little negativity.
Q: Would you recommend the Fresh Start Scheme to others?
A: Yes, of course. If you’re ready for it and you are living alone in a bigger house or flat, I would definitely recommend downsizing.
I have to be honest, maybe I was lucky. Denise did mention it’s not every day that you find a flat in such good condition. But yes, I would advise people to review it, discuss it and see what they can get.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your experience?
A: I don’t mind you mentioning that I’ve got a health issue if it helps other people decide to downsize. They may think ‘If she went through that, then maybe I can do the same.’ You never know.
Q: How would you describe Denise’s support throughout the process?
A: Denise is a star, she was amazing. She just went for it and helped me.