Emergency transfer policy
We want everyone to be able to feel safe in their home. When conflicts between neighbours occur, we work hard to resolve them and minimise the need for people to move. However, when there is a threat to the safety of residents, our emergency transfer policy ensures affected residents are moved as quickly as possible.
Our commitment to you
We will take every action we are able to take to resolve conflicts between neighbours as soon as possible. Where someone needs to move urgently due to a significant risk of harm or other extenuating circumstance, we will support with an emergency transfer, when it is unreasonable to implement standard processes and timeframes for reallocation, as set out in the Allocations Policy.
We are able to consider an emergency transfer in the following circumstances:
- There is significant risk of harm, as assessed by the police, to members of the household should they remain in their current property.
- There is a clear and present danger to the household should they remain in their current property.
- There have been threats of or actual violence, supported by evidence from the police, to a known occupant of the property.
- The household is suffering harm from persistent and serious anti-social behaviour, and there is evidence that a swift resolution is not possible to prevent further harm.
- The household is suffering harassment, supported by evidence from the police.
- The household is inappropriately housed and the detrimental impact of this means there is a risk of tenancy failure, supported by evidence from medical/ social care professionals.
It will be expected that in most cases, supporting evidence should be provided that clearly demonstrates that one or more of the above criteria is met and that there is no alternative solution to the presenting issues.
What happens when you need an emergency transfer
Your Neighbourhood Manager (ASB) will discuss options with you, ensure you meet the criteria and gather the evidence, if we do not have it already. In most cases we need evidence from the police to support an emergency transfer.
We will then complete an inspection of your home and we expect the home to be in a good standard to proceed with the transfer. We also need the rent account to be clear in order to proceed. If there are exceptional reasons why these conditions can’t be met, we will consider them on a case-by-case basis.
If you do not meet the conditions for an emergency transfer we will advise you on alternative ways to move, such as mutual exchange. We can also consider supporting you with additional security measures.
If your application meets the criteria, we will proceed with the transfer process. We will follow advice from the police as to where you should be moved to in order to ensure your safety. This may involve a move out of your current area. Where we do not have a suitable home to move you to, we will work with other local authorities to secure a home. This may not be a CKH home, especially if you live, or are moving outside the Peterborough area.
We will find an appropriate home for you and you can visit the home before agreeing to move there. We expect you to accept the first reasonable offer we make to you, and may withdraw the offer of an emergency transfer if you refuse a reasonable offer. You will also be expected to pay four weeks rent in advance on your new home. If you are unable to do this we will make an agreement with you to get your account in credit within a reasonable time.
Once you have moved we will conduct a settling in visit with you within three weeks. We will ensure you have settled in well, and can refer you to further support should you require it.
Appealing a refused transfer
If we refuse an emergency transfer you can appeal the decision within 21 days. You must appeal in writing and submit any evidence you feel would support a transfer.
The Assistant Director of Operations, or another Assistant Director/ Service Manager not involved in the application will undertake a review of the case based on the evidence submitted and make a decision whether to overturn or uphold the original decision. Appeals will be heard within seven days upon receipt. We will write to you to inform you of the outcome of your appeal.
Further information
Who is responsible for managing the Emergency Transfer Policy?
The Emergency Transfer Policy is managed by the Assistant Director of Operations, reporting into the Director of Operations.
Information sharing
Cross Keys Homes has an information sharing agreement with key agencies and contractors to share information in relation to the delivery of our services. Information shared must be relevant and the Data Protection Procedure adhered to when handling data. You can find more information about how we manage your data in our Transparency and Privacy Policy.
Monitoring and review
The Emergency Transfer Policy was written and approved in December 2022 and will be reviewed every three years – next review August 2025.
Other related policies
- Anti-social Behaviour Policy
- Hate Crime Policy
- Domestic Abuse Policy