Quick Guide
Last Updated: July 2012
Decanting
Next review: 2014
Owned by: Policy Services Team
Disturbance Allowance: This is a payment to
reimburse you for the actual costs of moving –
see the more detailed list in the next section. It is
payable for any person who is decanted, no
matter how short a period. It is not fixed, the
payments are based on the actual costs incurred
during the move and therefore require original
receipts and invoices. Some costs can be paid in
advance upon receipt of an invoice. A second
disturbance allowance will be paid to cover any
costs you incur moving back to your original
permanent home.
Introduction
This guide explains what happens when the
Group needs to move residents either temporarily
or permanently from their homes.
The summary applies mostly to residents who rent
their homes and in some instances to residents
who have bought their home under a leasehold
agreement with:
•
Southern Housing Group Ltd
•
Southern Housing Home Ownership Ltd.
Homeloss: This is a statutory compensation
payment, paid to you if you have no choice but to
move out permanently. To qualify you must have
lived at the present address for at least one year
as your only or main residence. The amount
payable is reviewed every September. Currently
the full payment is £4,700. If you are in arrears
with your rent or other charges, we may deduct
from your homeloss payment a sum sufficient to
repay any money that you owe the Group.
What is decanting?
When the Group has to ask residents to move out
of their home for any period of time this is called
decanting.
Decanting can be temporary, for example, when
properties need major repairs or modernisation
and it is necessary to move residents to another
temporary property while the works are completed
to their home. Residents are always required to
return to their original home following a temporary
decant.
If you find your own permanent move because we
have notified you that you will need to be
decanted in the near future then you may still be
able to claim a Homeloss payment if you can
demonstrate that your move is genuinely linked to
the need to decant you.
Decanting can also be permanent; this is most
commonly when a property will have to be
demolished or redeveloped as part of a major
regeneration scheme. Residents are not usually
able to return to their original home (as it will not
exist) and may in some cases move away from
their original local area.
Where a tenant chooses to move themselves then
usually neither of these payments can be claimed.
More details about what is covered
by the Disturbance Allowance.
Will I receive any financial help?
The costs met by the disturbance payment
include:
Yes. There are two types of payment that may be
made to residents who have been decanted from
their homes, depending on the circumstances.
•
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Furniture removals
Resident Summary: Decanting
•
Soft Furnishings
Permanent decants - making alterations to fit
existing soft furnishings (carpets, curtains and
blinds). Where this is not possible then usually
only a contribution will be made to new.
Temporary Decants - the Group will usually coordinate the supply and fitting of soft
furnishings suitable for short term use.
•
Disconnection and reconnection of telephones
and gas or major electrical kitchen appliances.
•
Redirection of mail.
•
Redecoration allowances may be paid where
the new property decorative standard does not
meet the Group’s void standard.
•
Refitting of aerials or satellite dishes.
•
New school uniforms.
There may be other costs associated with the
move. These costs will be discussed and agreed
with you prior to the move. There is no fixed level
for disturbance payments although there are
guidelines to ensure that costs are reasonable.
Sometimes a ‘lump sum’ may be offered rather
than submitting receipts and invoices for each
individual thing.
Will I be able to choose where I
move to?
Every effort will be made to find a suitable
alternative home, whether it be temporary or
permanent. You will be visited to discuss your
preferences. In some cases particular properties
may be used on a rolling basis with families
moving in and out as their own home is ready to
be reoccupied.
You will be made one, or possibly more,
reasonable offers that meet your preferences as
far as possible. If, however you unreasonably
refuse such an offer the Group may consider
taking legal proceedings to recover possession of
your current home as significant financial
penalties could be incurred if the planned works
are delayed.
What size property will I move to?
Usually you would be offered the same size
property as you currently occupy. However, if you
are already overcrowded in your current home
you may be offered a larger home. If you currently
live in a larger home than you need and decide to
move to a smaller property then an additional
payment may be offered to you over and above
the other payments you will be eligible for.
Ultimately if properties are unreasonably refused
legal action can be taken.
Will I get help with the practical
problems of moving?
A member of your Housing Management Team
will visit you to discuss the amount of assistance
you may need with such things as arranging
removals and the disconnection and reconnection
of services.
Where a resident is vulnerable in some way,
additional help will be made available.
Will this affect my rent or tenancy?
If you are moving temporarily you will retain the
tenancy of your main permanent home and will be
asked to enter into a temporary agreement for the
temporary home. You will be asked to pay the
lower of the two rents. If your own home is
undergoing essential repairs then any Housing
Benefit claim can continue to run regardless of
any change in rent.
If the two properties are in different areas you will
have to notify the Housing Benefit office covering
the place where your permanent home is that you
have moved temporarily.
Equal Opportunity
We aim to treat all applicants equally and fairly.
No person or group of people will be treated less
favourably because, for example their age,
disability, family circumstances, gender, marital or
civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national
Southern Housing Group Limited is a charitable housing association.
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Resident Summary: Decanting
origin, religion, sexual orientation or HIV status.
Local strategy statements give direction on the
balance of lettings between the different access
routes.
Further information
If you would like any more information on this or
any of our policies or services please contact our
customer service centre or go to our website
www.shgroup.org.uk. If you live in a supported
housing scheme on the Isle of Wight you can also
speak to your local Housing Officer. Contact
details can be found on our web pages, on your
Information Card or in Open Door - your residents’
newsletter.
Southern Housing Group Limited is a charitable housing association.
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