Relocation Assistance Policy for New Employees
(February 2008)
Buckinghamshire New University
Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Waiver ............................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Application procedure and payment ............................................................................................. 3
4. Implementation ................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Introduction
New employees may apply for assistance with relocation expenses where they live outside a
radius of 40 miles from the Campus which will be their normal place of work and relocation
(changing their main residence) is a direct and necessary consequence of appointment to the
University’s service. However, the employee must move to an area within the 40 mile radius
and their new home must be significantly closer to their new location than their current home to
give a substantial reduction in travelling time or ease of access.
Relocation must be completed within one year of the start of employment. Assistance with
relocation expenses is available as follows:
1.1 Support for Homeowners
The University will reimburse expenditure in any of the following areas to an overall
maximum of £3,000:
(i) Home Sale:
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

Solicitor’s conveyancing costs
Costs associated with the redemption of your mortgage
Estate agent’s commission and expenses
(ii) Purchase Costs:




Solicitor’s conveyancing costs
Legal costs incurred in the arrangement of a mortgage
Stamp duty on the conveyance
The cost of the mortgage lender’s valuation report on the property survey.
(iii) Removal Costs
Reimbursement for the cost of the actual removal of normal household effects, including
packing, unpacking and insurance in transit, from a location in England, Scotland or Wales.
Three quotations for this expenditure must be obtained and payment will be made on the
lowest. The University will not reimburse the cost, or any part thereof, of storing furniture
or for two removals whether or not storage takes place.
(iv) Temporary Accommodation
If the employee is unable to move home before commencing employment, and commuting
is not reasonably practicable, the University may provide at minimum cost accommodation
at one of its residences for a period not exceeding 12 weeks. Where this is not available,
an allowance not exceeding £250 per week towards the cost of approved private rented or
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Buckinghamshire New University
hotel accommodation will be payable for a maximum period of twelve weeks from the date
of appointment.
1.2. Support for Non-Homeowners
Non-homeowners may apply for assistance with costs associated with the purchase of a
property as outlined in 1.1 (ii) above, temporary accommodation in 1.1 (iv), removal costs
in 1.1 (iii) or costs associated with taking up a new tenancy, all to an overall limit of £1,500.
2. Waiver
Employees to whom relocation assistance is awarded will be required to sign a waiver agreeing
to reimburse to the University any expenses and allowances paid on their behalf under this
policy in the event of the early termination of employment. The whole cost will be repayable
should employment terminate before the expiry of 12 months after the employee’s appointment
or house purchase (whichever is later) and half the cost should employment terminate within the
following 12 months.
3. Application procedure and payment
3.1
This policy applies only to new employees offered a contract of employment of one or
more year’s duration.
3.2
Applications for relocation assistance must be made to the Human Resources Directorate
who will confirm entitlement. Claim forms will be provided.
3.3
No payment for expenditure under this scheme will be made without prior approval from
the Human Resources Directorate and will not be processed without appropriate receipts.
Payment will be made with the monthly salary payment.
4. Implementation
This policy applies to new appointments from 1 April 2002 only.
Prepared by:
Human Resources Directorate
Date:
Feb 08
Final Approval by:
Review Date:
March 2012
Updated on:
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