Recruitment policy - relocation scheme – amounts claimable

Removal costs

The full cost of the transportation of belongings (based on lowest of 3 quotes).

Removal expenses are only payable from port of entry to the UK, where applicable.

The cost of a second removal may be reimbursed where furniture is put into storage or temporary accommodation is taken for a short period. The cost of storage of furniture may be claimed but must be offset against and not exceed the disturbance allowance (see below).

Receipts should be provided.

Fees or mortgage/rent subsidy payments

(only one of these elements of the scheme are payable)

Fees

Fees related to the selling and/or purchase of a property up to a maximum of £6,533 (eg legal fees, stamp duty, estate agents commission, land registry fees, searches and surveys).

For the sale and/or purchase of reasonably similar residences, excluding fees for work for sales/purchases that do not complete.

Fees can be reimbursed where a person has a property to sell but moves into a council property as a condition of their employment.

Receipts should be provided.

Or

Mortgage/rent subsidy payments

As an alternative to claiming fees, those individuals relocating from an area where house prices/rental rates are generally lower can choose to receive mortgage/rent subsidy for a 2-year period (instead of claiming fees). Payments will be subject to Tax and NI deductions and treated as pensionable:

• year 1 – £250 per month
• year 2 – £150 per month

The total payable of over the 2-year period is £4,800.

Disturbance allowance

A disturbance allowance of up to £935 is claimable in respect of reasonable disturbance and/or settling in expenses from moving house.

This can include claims for replacement of curtains, carpets, disconnection/reconnection of utilities (e.g. gas, electric, water, landline etc) and any adaptations to property that may be required. As stated above, the cost of storage of furniture may be claimed as part of this allowance.

Receipts should be provided.

Separation/two homes allowance (not overseas recruitment campaign applicants)

A maximum of £97 per week is claimable for a period not exceeding 6 months (this can be extended in exceptional circumstances).

This allowance is payable in respect of costs incurred for additional rent, the cost of bed and breakfast plus evening meals (but not alcoholic beverages) or bridging loans up to the maximum weekly amount payable.

Expenditure incurred on other meals will not be reimbursed.

Additional insurance, maintenance or council tax costs incurred will not be reimbursed.

Evidence of additional expenditure will be required.

Return visits to family (not overseas recruitment campaign applicants)

Travel costs paid at a petrol reimbursement rate of 12p per mile, for a period not exceeding 6 months.

For travel between the old home and temporary accommodation, and is applicable for married or single officers who are separated from partners or dependant relatives with whom they live and/or while two homes are maintained.

The manager can agree to extend the maximum period payable in line with any agreement to extend two homes allowance.

Search for new accommodation (not overseas recruitment campaign applicants)

One or two days leave can be granted (as required/appropriate), plus one return journey, subsistence and one overnight stay (up to the maximum amounts payable for subsistence) for the officer and spouse (and children up to 16 years of age if necessary).

Receipts should be provided.

Eligible overseas recruitment campaign applicants may also claim:

• the cost of one economy journey (including the employee’s spouse, civil partner and children) to the UK from the country in which the employee was resident immediately prior to employment with Dorset Council
• visa costs, including one-off payments for the Immigration Skills surcharge, and the NHS Health Surcharge
• financial assistance for the deposit to secure rental accommodation, including, where appropriate, an initial one month’s rent in advance, up to the value of £1,500 (for both deposit and one month’s advance)
• where the job role requires the employee to travel in order to effectively carry out their duties, financial assistance up to the value of £2,000 to support the purchase of a vehicle

Summary

A summary of the relocation package is available. In cases where relocation expenses have been approved this information can be sent to the candidate to make them aware of the details either ahead of, or as part of any formal offer.