Decant Policy

3.1         The Cabinet has overall governance responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented to ensure full compliance with legislation and regulatory standards. As such, the Cabinet will formally approve this policy and review it every two years (or sooner if there is a change in legislation or regulation).

3.2         For assurance that this policy is operating effectively in practice, the Cabinet will receive regular updates on its implementation, performance and non-compliance.

3.3         The Senior Management Team (SMT) will receive monthly performance reports in respect of repair-related decants and ensure compliance is being achieved. They will also be notified of any non-compliance issues identified and planned corrective action.

3.4         The Strategic Director has strategic responsibility for the management of repair-related decants, and ensuring compliance is achieved and maintained. They will oversee the implementation of this policy.

3.5         The Service Director and Service Managers have operational responsibility for the management of repair-related decants and will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of these programmes.

3.6         It is a condition of the tenancy agreement that tenants must allow access for us to carry out works in their home. Housing Management Team is to provide support where gaining access to properties is difficult.

3.7         The Repairs and Maintenance team are responsible for the following:

• assess the repairs and make a recommendation to decant
• complete the Housing Decant Form (Appendix 2)
• inform the tenant of the need to decant to allow essential repairs and maintenance
• provide a summary of works and timescales to completion
• be the single point of contact with the tenant
• understand the tenant's specific needs and concerns and ensure these are addressed. This includes identifying any vulnerabilities and reasonable adjustments required
• arrange works to start on site as soon as possible once the property is vacant and tenants' belongings have been removed and relevant meters are suitably credited
• move items sufficiently to be able to start works if consent given by the tenant
• ensure works are monitored and completed to schedule
• ensure the decant calendar/planner is kept up to date
• ensure the tenant is kept fully informed throughout the decant process, at least weekly unless there are significant updates
• ensure post-inspections are carried out as soon as possible after works are complete