In the aftermath of significant events, including the Grenfell tragedy, planned mass decants have increased as the need to address many cladding and other building safety concerns are of the highest priority. 

It is certainly ‘all hands-on deck’ when a mass temporary decant is required and a professional service that addresses the complex needs for both planned works and emergencies needs to be offered. A suitable and robust solution that provides a dedicated team, seamlessly co-ordinating the whole process from start to finish, is vital. 

A meeting between stakeholders should be arranged immediately. From this initial meeting, single-source accommodation options, meticulous planning and removal services should be co-ordinated by a dedicated Major Incident team. This ensures a smooth transition for residents impacted. Below is a list of the key considerations to take for a true journey from crisis to comfort: 

1. Early co–ordination – Moving swiftly to communicate with accommodation partners as soon as instructed.
2. Resident communication – Pro-actively communicating with each resident throughout the process.
3. Trackers – A major incident team needs to work from a tracker for all mass decants, to ensure there is ‘joined up’ communication and can actively see who has been contacted and booked. 
4. Daily reports  –  It is essential to track the status of bookings and share with relevant parties to help ascertain if any further bookings are required. 
5. Weekly reports  –  If the mass decant extends longer than one week, the instructing principal should receive a weekly report to keep them informed of developments. 
6. Accommodation and booking – An extensive network of hotels, serviced apartments, and rental properties needs to be available to ensure cost-efficiency.
7. Belongings and moving out – Co-ordinating the necessary removals and delivery of personal belongings.
8. Ongoing communication – Consistent updates regarding all aspects of the decant should be provided weekly.
9. Gathering feedback – Pre- and post-move surveys should be conducted. 

Expertise and comprehensive services can make a significant difference in fostering a sense of security and comfort for residents during times of change which is vitally important with all claims but especially for mass decants. 

ICAB are an awarded supplier on the PfH Accommodation and Decant Services framework. Take a look at our Accommodation and Decant buyers guide here.