Decant policy

13.1 WHBC will offer a temporary decant to tenants who cannot safely remain in their property. Any tenants required to move out of their home on a temporary basis will retain their tenancy rights to the property. 

13.2 A temporary decant will be considered in the following cases: 13.2.1 Serious Housing Management Issues by the Neighbourhoods Services Manager.
13.2.2 Major Repairs by the Repairs Services Manager.

13.3 Where a tenant is required to decant temporarily (i.e., it is intended for the tenant to return to the property at the end of the work(s)), we will be as flexible as possible in our approach to each individual case. 

13.4 We will consider setting up temporary services like toilets or bathrooms to prevent a decant, where it is possible and cost-effective

13.5 When the need for a temporary decant arises, the first option to be explored is the extent to which the household could stay with friends or family. 

13.6 During the decant period, the household would receive financial assistance as described at Appendix 1. 

13.7 If this option is not possible or has been exhausted, we will then consider the following other options, where they are available: 
13.7.1 Staying in a local bed & breakfast or hotel; 
13.7.2 Staying in a WHBC Independent Living guest rooms
13.7.3 Staying in a vacant WHBC property 

13.8 These options will be considered in light of the particular household circumstances, including, but not limited to, the size of the household, preferred location(s), predicted length of stay, personal circumstances, and support requirements. WHBC expects tenants to work collaboratively with us on a potential temporary move. 

13.9 WHBC cannot accommodate pets (unless a recognised assisted dog) during a temporary decant; tenants may be able to make temporary arrangements for pets under their own home contents insurance cover. 

13.10 In the first instance, we would encourage tenants and their household occupants to source their own temporary accommodation e.g. with friends or family

13.11 For tenants, we will endeavour to offer alternative accommodation on a like-for-like basis where possible. Therefore, it may be necessary for WHBC to offer temporary accommodation which is smaller or different than the decanted property. 

13.12 Where emergency works may take longer than originally anticipated, we should look to provide the most suitable accommodation, which may mean moving affected tenants from hotels or B&Bs.  

13.13 During temporary decants, tenants will continue to pay rent, services charges, and Council Tax to WHBC for their permanent home.  

13.14 WHBC  will only make one offer of suitable alternative accommodation to tenants, after which we would need to consider formal options to facilitate a move. A second offer will only be made if it can be shown that the first offer was not reasonable. Tenants will then sign a Decant Acceptance Form to agree to the accommodation and time of the decant.