From urgent instruction to rental: ICAB delivers swift accommodation solution 

A major London Housing Association contacted ICAB with an urgent instruction; a resident in one of their Wandsworth properties needed to be moved to alternative accommodation to allow for the completion of a complex repair.  

The family had a young child, with chest problems and breathing difficulties. Due to these health issues, it was imperative that any temporary accommodation needed to have some outdoor space – a balcony at the very least.  As the resident didn’t drive, she needed to be as close as possible to the family home and the child’s nursery to maintain daily routines and reduce stress during the upheaval. 

In many cases, when a claim is received, the most important task for the claims handlers is to book the resident into short-term hotel accommodation whilst any repairs or works are being assessed. However, for this particular claim, it was immediately clear that the repairs would be extensive and would likely take some time to complete.  Experience meant that the ICAB claims handler knew to immediately start the search for a rental property. 

ICAB usually recommends a rental property when a claim is likely to exceed six months and beyond.  Our highly trained knowledgeable team assist residents with every aspect of the rental process, from locating and sourcing suitable rental properties within the agreed budget and policy limits, as well as arranging viewings, assisting with any queries in relation to tenancy agreements and deposit schemes. 

Using ICAB’s trusted network of landlords, the team swiftly located a property that met all the resident’s needs. It had a balcony and was located close to the family’s home address. A tenancy agreement was secured with a twelve-month term and a six-month break clause to allow for flexibility, and the family moved into the property for the duration of the repair work.