Accommodation Security Cover Grant - for suppliers

When someone applies, we'll check they meet the criteria. If it's approved, we’ll give them a ‘Letter of Assurance’ to give you and it will explain:

• what the Accommodation Security Cover Grant is
• the conditions that need to be met
• how to make a claim, and
• how we’ll pay you.

At the end of the accommodation period the person can make a claim to get the grant paid. If they don't agree to the costs, you can make a claim instead as long as you have a Disputes Tribunal or court order. The most we can pay is up to 4 weeks of accommodation costs. 

Accommodation Security Cover is for accommodation agreements that the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 does not apply to. For example, some boarding or flatting arrangements. If you're entering an agreement that the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 does apply to, we would look at a Bond Grant.

Cover is valid for up to 1 year from the start of the accommodation agreement. 

If the person is staying there for longer than 1 year and you need further cover, they can apply for another grant before the 1 year ends. 

Verification that you need this assurance

When someone applies, we'll need verification that you need them to have this grant to move into the accommodation.

This needs to be a letter from you which confirms:

• your contact details
• the address of the accommodation
• start and end dates of the accommodation period, and
• that you need this cover.

The accommodation arrangement

When someone applies, we'll need to see verification of the accommodation arrangement you have.

Depending on the type of accommodation you provide, this may be either:

• an accommodation agreement, or
• a detailed letter, confirming the arrangements and what the costs are.

Accommodation agreements cover things like:

• your contact details
• the person’s name
• the address of the accommodation
• start and end dates of the accommodation period
• the person’s weekly costs
• a breakdown of any service costs, if applicable, like electricity and internet.

Evidence of outstanding costs or damages

When a claim is made, we'll need to see evidence of the outstanding costs and/or damages that are being claimed for.

This could be:

• invoices for damages, or
• bank statements showing accommodation costs owing.

A claim can be submitted if:

• the accommodation agreement ends within 1 year, and
• there are outstanding costs.

A claim has to be submitted within 3 months after the accommodation agreement ends.

The person can make a claim themselves. If they don't agree to the costs, you can submit a claim directly using a Disputes Tribunal or court order. You can do this by either posting or dropping your documents to your nearest service centre.

You’ll need to register as a Work and Income supplier (if you haven’t already done so). This is so we can make a payment to you.

Once the claim is processed, we’ll pay you directly.