The council has stressed that it needs to increase the availability of larger properties for families. With this in mind, it will be reaching out to older tenants living in 4-bedroom properties to chat about the option of downsizing to a smaller more manageable home, to help free up larger properties for families in need.

No one is obliged to move and the decision to move is voluntary.

The council offer grants to its tenants who wish to move to a smaller council property through normal letting or by a mutual exchange. These grants are payable to those moving from a three-bedroom property or larger.

The grants are:

• Midlothian Council tenants who downsize by 1 bedroom receive £1000
• Midlothian Council tenants who downsize by 2 or more bedrooms receive £1500

The council has a range of one and two-bedroom properties that may be more suitable for tenants considering downsizing and we can offer support to make the move as smooth as possible.

Councillor Stuart McKenzie, cabinet member for housing, said: “Due to a change in circumstances some tenants may be living in homes that are now too large for them.

“There are benefits to moving to a smaller home if your current home is bigger than required, for example smaller homes could save money as they will be cheaper to heat. Also, if you get an Incentive to Move grant it could be put towards decorating your new home or something special.”