Decant Policy

2.1         This policy applies to tenants of Gateshead Council who are required to temporarily move out of their current home in order to undertake planned essential repairs or improvement works. This is called a "decant" or (where the tenant is returning to their home) a "temporary decant".

2.2         All decants will be temporary except in exceptional circumstances where a permanent move is required.

2.3         This policy applies in a range of circumstances where the tenant needs to move out of their home temporarily, including:

• extensive works of a longer-term nature or where the tenant is elderly or disabled or has care or support needs which cannot be managed appropriately if they were to remain in the property
• the property being structurally unsound and in an unsafe condition
• loss of services or amenities of a longer-term nature

2.4         Housing Management will establish which team has responsibility for the decant based on the cause of the decant and the tenants' support needs.

2.5         Where a tenant has only lost the use of part of their home and can remain in occupation while the works are to be undertaken, a decant will not apply.

2.6         In these cases, the tenant's rent account will receive a refund of part of their rent. Where tenants are unable to use their kitchen for cooking or other facilities, the council will also cover any additional costs such as purchasing food.

2.7         Tenants or household members will not be allowed to remain in the property where there is a risk to the tenant or contractors or where it is inappropriate.

2.8         Policy exclusions - this policy does not apply to:

• leaseholders or their sub-tenants
• where a tenant chooses to move via property transfer, mutual exchange or ends their tenancy
• non-authorised occupants, including sub-tenants, lodgers and licensees that have no right to rehousing under this policy
• emergency situations, where the tenant needs to leave their home with little or no notice, for example due to a fire or flood. In such circumstances, the immediate accommodation will be arranged through the customer care team. Where tenants are unable to return to their home quickly, we will liaise with housing management to arrange suitable alternative accommodation
• permanent relocation due to redevelopment and regeneration
• tenants of other landlords including the tenants of Gateshead Council's leaseholders. The provision of alternative accommodation falls to the tenant's landlord. Leaseholders with tenants in their property are expected to make an insurance claim on their landlord insurance
• any other tenures such as non-secure tenants of Gateshead Council in temporary accommodation, licences, or other resident arrangements
• separate policies apply to moves within council-owned housing stock which do not relate to repairs, for example fleeing domestic violence, antisocial behaviour or health-related moves