Response 3998586

Response to request for information

Reference

3998586

Response date

12 May 2026

Request

This request relates to the Council’s provision and management of temporary accommodation for homeless households, and its compliance with relevant housing legislation and statutory guidance.

1. Policies, Procedures and Statutory Guidance: Please provide copies of all current policies, procedures, guidance, or internal documents used by the Council in discharging its duties relating to temporary accommodation, including how it ensures compliance with:

• • Housing Act 1996 Part VII
  • Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
  • Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012
  • Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities

2. Safeguarding Duties. Selection and approval of temporary accommodation providers including:

• • How hotels, B&Bs, and other providers are sourced, procured, vetted, and approved
  • Any procurement processes, framework agreements, or contracts
  • Inspection regimes, quality standards, or compliance checks
  • Policies used to assess whether accommodation is “suitable” under the above legislation and guidance

3. Equality and Human Rights compliance. Please provide policies, guidance, or training materials relating to compliance with:
   • The Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty; and disability rights and other protected characteristics
   • The Human Rights Act 1998, including (but not limited to): Article 3 (freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment) Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) Article 14 (Prohibition of discrimination) Including:
   • Any equality impact assessments relating to temporary accommodation
   • How equality and human rights considerations are incorporated into suitability decisions
4. Approved providers and cost breakdown. Please provide: An up-to-date list of all providers used for temporary accommodation in Nottinghamshire including hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and private sector providers. For each provider, please include:
   • Weekly cost per household
   • Any variation in cost by household size or composition Any additional charges including service or management fees. Total expenditure per provider.

If full disclosure is not possible due to commercial sensitivity, please provide the information in anonymised or aggregated form in accordance with your duties under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Duty to Provide Reasons and Transparency Given the statutory framework outlined above, please ensure that any policies or documents provided clearly demonstrate how the Council: Applies the legal test of suitability, takes into account location, affordability and household needs. Complies with equality and human rights obligations.

Response

1. Policies, Procedures and Statutory Guidance. Rushcliffe Borough Council does not hold specific standalone internal policies or procedures solely relating to the provision and management of temporary accommodation. The Council discharges its statutory duties in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:
   • Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended)
   • Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
   • Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012
   • Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities
   • Relevant safeguarding legislation and local procedures

In terms of out-of-area placements, the Council’s approach is set out within its publicly available Housing Allocations Policy, specifically Section 27.

2. Selection and Approval of Temporary Accommodation Providers. The Council utilises a mixed approach to securing temporary accommodation:
   • The Council owns and operates a family hostel, which is used as temporary accommodation for eligible households.
   • Where additional provision is required, bed and breakfast (B&B), hotels or other accommodation are sourced on an ad hoc basis from providers with availability at the time of need. The Council does not hold a single consolidated policy document covering procurement, inspection regimes, or approval processes specific to temporary accommodation providers. However:
     •  All placements are made in accordance with the statutory suitability requirements set out in the legislation and guidance referenced above.
     • Officers assess suitability on a case-by-case basis, taking into account:
       • Household size and composition
       • Location and proximity to services
       • Affordability
       • Any medical, safeguarding, or support needs
3. Equality and Human Rights Compliance. The Council does not hold separate policies or training documents specific to equality and human rights in the context of temporary accommodation provision aside from ongoing in person training. However, the Council complies with its statutory duties under:
   • Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty
   • Human Rights Act 1998

Suitability assessments are undertaken in line with statutory requirements and guidance. No specific Equality Impact Assessments solely relating to temporary accommodation are held.

4. Approved Providers and Cost Breakdown. The Council does not maintain a fixed or approved provider list for temporary accommodation. Accommodation (including hotels and B&Bs) is sourced as required, based on availability at the time of need.
   Accordingly:
   • The Council does not hold a comprehensive list of providers as requested. Costs vary depending on:
     • Provider
     • Location
     • Household size
     •  Availability and demand

Information relating to individual providers and costs is not centrally collated in the format requested and would require the manual review of individual case records. The Council considers that to extract this information would exceed the appropriate cost limit under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where possible, the Council can confirm that placement costs are managed in line with its statutory duties to secure suitable and affordable accommodation.