Decant policy

15.1    If a tenant decides to leave their home temporarily, they should follow their tenancy agreement and inform their landlord in writing, setting out the permanent address, their temporary address, the reason for leaving their home and the date they left the property. 

15.2    The landlord will arrange an inspection of the property, and the tenant must allow the landlord access to inspect the property once the landlord has given reasonable notice.

15.3    If access is not granted, the landlord will follow the no-access procedure. The landlord also reserves the right to investigate abandoned properties.  

15.4    If the inspection confirms that a decant is required, the property does not meet all applicable statutory requirements for the health and safety of the occupants in their home, the case will be referred to the Decant Team. 

15.5    If the WHBC officer determines that the property is habitable, i.e. property does meet all applicable statutory requirements that provide for the health and safety of the occupants in their home, or that the works can be carried out with the occupants in situ and that a decant is not required, the Neighbourhood Office will write the tenant at both addresses and support the tenant to return to the property.