Once established a decant is required, incoming properties should be considered based on the person’s needs. Ideally, the property should be located close to the contract holders’ home, however this is not always possible and where possible, a discussion with the contract holder should determine what areas they are prepared to consider.
Once a suitable property is found, it will be held from the normal void process including advertisement and prior to providing the keys to the contract holder:
- A health and safety inspection should be completed in the property to identify and arrange any health and safety work required
- Consideration flooring and arrange carpeting if required
- Consider and arrange a removal service is required
- Confirm what white goods a contract holder wishes to take and book plumber/ electrician as required
- Arrange for the contract holder to sign a Temporary Decant Agreement / alternative Secure Contract
Considerations for the type of document to be completed upon identifying the need for the decant:
- Safeguarding concerns: Temporary Decant Agreement and rent continue to be charged on the originating property.
- Short-term repairs which do not fall under the fit for human habitation concerns: Temporary Decant Agreement and rent continue to be charged on the originating property
- Longer-term decants where there is a property condition issue, which do not fall under the fit for human habitation concerns: Temporary Decant Agreement and rent continue to be charged on the originating property
- Longer term decants due to fit for human habitation matters: Secure Contract issued for the decant arranged and set up as a new contract holder for the property as rent will not be payable upon the original contract.
In some emergency situations, a contract holder may need to be placed in a hotel or B&B until a decant property is sourced. If this is required, a Credit Card Use Request form should be completed and sent to the CHM for approval.