Relocation Decant Project

We have proudly partnered with one of the UK’s leading relocation organisations for over five years, offering quick and efficient accommodation solutions for policyholders in need of emergency housing, often at very short notice. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive emergency decant service, which involves sourcing alternative accommodation on a much larger scale.

Objective

To source emergency accommodation for over 120 individuals from 48 separate flats, all at short notice. The initial requirement was for a 14-night stay.

Method

Given the complexity and urgency of the situation, our specialist Relocation Team implemented both a short- and medium-term strategy. We reached out to our network of serviced apartment providers as well as local hotels, as the requirements varied widely. These ranged from individuals living alone to families with children, each with their own unique circumstances.

We had to source a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments and hotel rooms, ensuring that all accommodation was close to the residents’ original homes to minimise disruption. Managing decants is significantly more complicated than typical hotel bookings, as several additional factors must be considered, such as the age and mobility of individuals, proximity to schools, availability of parking, and more. Additionally, some residents had pets, which presented a further challenge as many accommodation providers do not allow animals.

Results

Our immediate priority was to swiftly accommodate all residents, as they were unable to remain in their building. Each household had specific needs, and we handled every case with care and sensitivity, as the situation was understandably distressing for many. Despite the time of day and the urgency, we managed to secure local hotel accommodation for everyone (pets included!) within 2.5 hours.

From Day 2, we shifted focus to finding more suitable long-term accommodation for the residents. Most were relocated from hotels to serviced apartments, while we also worked closely with our ground transport partner to provide daily transportation for work and school. After 18 days, all residents were able to return to their flats.

While the situation was far from ideal for the residents, our experience in managing such challenging projects and our strong supplier relationships meant that we were able to minimise the disruption and ensure a smooth transition throughout the process.