Make checks after a guest moves in: Homes for Ukraine
The checks councils must make if a guest moves in before telling the council.
If a guest makes their own match and moves in with a new host without checks having taken place, this is at their own risk.
Checks should be completed in advance whenever possible
Checks should be completed in advance of move-in wherever possible. If the move has already happened, they should be completed retrospectively.
Councils are responsible for undertaking the necessary checks as soon as possible to be sure the new sponsorship arrangement is suitable.
Councils should not refuse a rematch for any reason other than accommodation, safeguarding or fraud concerns.
Councils should only make the thank you payment to the rematch sponsor/host if they are not in a family relationship with the guest. Those who are already in the UK and move in with a close family member are classified as having left the HfU scheme rather than a rematch, and local authorities are not required to carry out the usual HfU safeguarding checks. Statutory responsibilities still apply.
Checks are necessary to formalise a rematch
If the council later becomes aware, it is the responsibility of the council to undertake the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and accommodation checks as soon as possible to formalise this rematch. Formalising these rematches is necessary so the host can receive the thank you payments (provided they are not in a close family relationship with the guest), and to ensure the transfer of the relevant tariff funding if the new host is in a different area.
You can read more about rematching and the checks needed.