Housing Association Decants: Who Pays for Removals and Storage?

Who arranges the move and who gets the bill?

If the association books an approved mover, it can agree the work and pay the supplier directly. Some providers also allow a resident to arrange the move and claim back approved costs. A2Dominion’s public guidance says it covers removal and storage costs under its temporary decant arrangements. Your own written arrangement tells you what is approved and who should be invoiced.

Sandy Movers can discuss the removals with your housing officer with your permission. We can set out packing, transport, storage handover and the return move separately, then address the invoice to the agreed billing party.

What do you take and what can go into storage?

If the decant is urgent or the temporary home is furnished

After a fire, flood or major leak, a hotel or furnished temporary home may only have room for a few bags. Ask the housing officer which possessions are safe to collect, whether the rest can stay, and whether the landlord is booking storage. If an item is wet, smoke-damaged or affected by contamination, follow the specialist’s instructions before it is packed or moved.

For a planned decant during major works, ask for the dates when rooms must be clear and whether your furniture can stay safely in an unaffected part of the home. Moving furniture within the property, transporting it to storage and returning it are different jobs. Put each approved job in writing so the resident, officer and mover know which one has been booked.

Three things to get approved before booking

Agree the return move separately

Ask the housing team when the original home will be safe and ready to return to. A return date can change while repairs are under way. Keep your inventory so the crew can identify items at storage, and agree whether the return includes reassembly or unpacking.

If the works run over, confirm who approves additional storage before the original booking expires. Ask how you can retrieve an essential item if you need it before the return.

What to send Sandy Movers

• Collection postcode, temporary address or agreed storage location, and the date you need to move.
• A short inventory, photos if helpful, stairs or lift details and any access needs.
• Your housing officer’s work contact, with permission to speak to them, and any quote or purchase-order reference.

Does the housing association usually pay for decant removals?

Often it will arrange or pay for approved removals. Check the terms for your tenancy and your written decant agreement. Sandy Movers can speak to the housing officer with your permission and invoice the agreed payer.

Can I choose my own removal company?

Ask the housing officer before booking. They may have a nominated supplier, require a written quote or agree reimbursement up to a limit.

Is home loss compensation the same as paying for removals?

They are separate. Ask your housing officer which removal and storage costs are approved even if you are only moving temporarily.

Does Sandy Movers provide storage?

We can quote for transport into and out of an agreed storage facility. Confirm separately who books the storage, pays the facility and arranges access while your belongings are there.