Decant Policy

The council's responsibilities

5.1         When a tenant is required to move out for repairs to be undertaken, there will be a coordinated response from the Repairs Team to:

• minimise the amount of time it takes to carry out the works
• minimise the disruption to the tenant and their family
• ensure the wellbeing of the household is monitored during the decant period
• ensure that the tenant's home and belongings are treated with respect

5.2         The council will provide statutory and/or discretionary financial assistance to decanted tenants as follows:

• Where a tenant is placed in hotel accommodation without cooking facilities, an additional daily payment to help with the costs of food is available; payments may vary depending on the size of the household. The tenant will be required to provide receipts for expenditure. We may reimburse up to £15 for each adult and £10 for each child, per day for households who have to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast and do not have access to cooking facilities, or a meal included with the accommodation provided. The council will make payment in the most appropriate way, which may be by pre-paid debit card or vouchers.
• For tenants decanted into self-contained accommodation, the council may also help with the provision of essential items such as white goods or beds in cases where the welfare of the tenant and their household would otherwise be at risk.
• If the tenant is moving to a decant property and either taking their household effects or placing them in storage, the council will pay for the removals and storage. This will be done to the extent that is reasonable and appropriate and reflect the duration of the expected decant. This will be carried out by the council's nominated contractor.
• Reimbursements for other costs associated with tenant welfare during the decant are at the discretion of the council.

Reasonable adjustments

5.3         Using the council's records and the information obtained during the initial interview with tenants, we will make reasonable adjustments to ensure that the appropriate level of communication is followed. For example, some tenants may want us to deal directly with a family member on this matter, and we will respect these communication preferences.

5.4         We also recognise that certain groups of tenants, including vulnerable tenants, are likely to need extra support and reassurance.

5.5         We will also consider the extent of the tenant's vulnerability or other exceptional circumstances when we plan the decant process with the tenant. Our aim is to be entirely flexible in managing this process, ensuring all of the tenant's needs are met.

Tenants' responsibilities

5.6         The tenant is required to:

• pay any associated costs, such as utility charges, for the property to which the household is decanted. The tenant will continue to pay rent on their substantive home
• if decanting to a hotel, continue to pay the rent on their substantive home and the council will pay the costs of the hotel accommodation
• if applicable, maintain any payments for arrears agreed on their principal accommodation for the duration of the decant, and continue upon return
• make all other arrangements associated with the move, utilities, council tax, and any other relevant agency. Tenants will be signposted to organisations that can offer advice and support
• ensure, when requested to do so, that utility services at the substantive property are appropriately credited to enable the works to take place
• contact their own contents insurance provider
• leave their permanent home in a condition as agreed, to enable the works to happen - for example, if they are asked to clear specific rooms of possessions
• respect all the rules and expectations at the temporary accommodation or hotel that they are decanted to. Should the tenant be required to leave hotel accommodation by the hotel on grounds of their behaviour, the matter will be referred to the housing manager to consider the offer of a further placement. If no further placement is offered because of this behaviour, the tenant will be required to make their own arrangements
• not cause any damage to or leave any possessions at the decanted property when they return to their main home
• move back to their original home within five working days of being informed that it is ready for them to do so

5.7         As per the terms of the tenancy agreement, tenants are required to keep their property in good repair and report any faults or damage immediately (s7.1), and to request appropriate permission to carry out any alterations / improvements to the property (s7.1, s7.2, s7.3, s7.4 and s7.5). Where the need for a decant is because of the tenant's deliberate actions, inactions, or wilful neglect, the council reserves the right to refer to any recharge policy or procedure in force at the time of the decant (s7.7). This will include costs of putting things right in the property, and the cost of alternative accommodation, etc. These instances will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, with due regard to any disability or vulnerability that has directly led to the damage being caused.

5.8         In the event of a tenant needing to be decanted due to damage being caused because of their deliberate actions, inactions, or wilful neglect, the following will apply:

• as a responsible landlord, the council will seek alternative accommodation for the tenant if they are not able to self-resolve
• the Housing Officer may serve a Notice of Seeking Possession on the tenant if there is a serious tenancy breach, and will seek possession of the property through the court

5.9         In these circumstances, the council will not:

• pay for the removal or replacement of items from the original household, or any associated storage costs
• pay for any travel costs incurred by the tenant
• pay for any items that the tenant needs for the decant property