How do housing association internal transfers work for disability-related moves?

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Wondering if anyone works for a housing association or has maybe done an internal transfer.. How do they work?

I currently live in a first floor flat, I'm disabled with mobility issues and a spine condition and use a mobility scooter, I can't get up and down my stairs without help.

I have a doctors letter saying I need to be in a ground floor flat, I also have an occupational therapist who also says I need to be in a ground floor.

I joined the internal transfer list with my housing association almost two years ago and when I joined was told when a ground floor flat becomes empty they would call me.

The flat directly below mine became empty in April so I called them to ask about it because it is exactly what I need and also has a wet room which I would also need (I have one here now)

Was then told that's not how it works, I would need to bid on local council site if I see it on there, which is completely different to what I was told two years ago, nobody told me I had to bid, they said they would call. So basically I have missed out on two years of bidding.

If I look on HA's website it says 'if you need to transfer from one of our properties to another due to a disablilty let us know and we can move you when a property becomes available'

I seem to be told a different thing every time I call.

For the people who have done an internal transfer did you have to bid or did they contact you?

You need to look at your Housing Association's Allocations policy. I work for a housing association. My housing association allows internal transfers for disability reasons. Our properties are let through council nominations and on our internal waiting list. The exact percentage varies. But if an empty property is due to be let via the waiting list then it would be offered to applicants in priority order. For a nominations property applicants would bid via the local council and we would be sent a list in priority order and would contact applicants to arrange viewing.

Ask for a management let not an internal transfer if you’re disabled and on an upper floor. If it’s an internal transfer as PP says you need to bid if they advertise it and there’ll be a priority order. Your Housing Officer should be able to seek advice about eligibility for a management let and they’d allocate directly to you. Still needs a property to be available but it’s quicker. They don’t do these often but it helps if you know what to ask for. If they refuse then follow the complaints process providing medical evidence.