Exceptional circumstances

A client cannot be paid more than two Accommodation Costs in Advance Grants in a 52-week period, unless there are exceptional circumstances. This includes any payments made as a Rent in Advance Grant.

Exceptional circumstances are where the circumstance:

• sets the client apart from others in a similar situation and
• are beyond the client's control

The following situations are generally considered as exceptional circumstances (but not limited to):

• the client needs to move through no fault of their own, e.g:
  • the client has been notified the owner will move back into the accommodation
  • the property is deemed uninhabitable due to damage (such as a burst waterpipe) and major repairs are needed.
• the client was a victim of a violent crime or family violence and has had a change in their housing circumstances, e.g:
  • needing to move to a different property following a violent crime or
  • no longer living with their partner after seeking a protection order (including if the client remains in the same property without their partner)

There may be other reasons for exceptional circumstances.