Documents

A letter for notifying a homeless applicant that the council's duty to provide interim accommodation under section 188 of the Housing Act 1996 has ended, because:

• the applicant refused an offer of suitable interim accommodation.

Strictly speaking there is no statutory duty to notify this type of decision.

However, it is good administrative practice to do so. Confirming the decision and reasons for the decision in writing provides transparency (and may effectively be required if the applicant may seek to challenge the decision by applying for judicial review).

The letter explains the implications for the applicant of the decision. There are two alternative sections depending on whether or not the section 189B(2) relief duty has already been accepted.