Quick Guide Decanting Introduction This guide explain - PDF document

Quick Guide Decanting
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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. 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. 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. Will I receive any financial help? Yes. There are two types of payment that may be made to residents who have been decanted from their homes, depending on the circumstances. 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. 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. 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. 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. The costs met by the disturbance payment include: Furniture removals Resident Summary: Decanting Southern Housing Group Limited is a charitable housing association. 2 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 co-ordinate 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 Resident Summary: Decanting Southern Housing Group Limited is a charitable housing association. 3 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.