Draft guidance for managing Gypsy and Traveller sites - Chapter 13: departures

If permanent residents of local authority pitches wish to leave the site on a permanent basis, they are required to give written notice to the site manager, on behalf of the local authority, in writing not less than 28 days before they wish to leave. Residents who provide this period of notice are entitled to any overpayments incurred after the agreement is terminated.

Notice should be given to the site manager by the resident and then documentation should be signed by the resident to confirm the intended date of leaving the pitch and its availability for re-allocation.

The site manager should seek to ensure that all outstanding bills owed to the local authority or contracted management organisation are settled by the resident before departure. Before departures, the pitch and amenity block should be inspected for any damage. Residents should be informed (in their mobile home agreement) that any damage may incur a charge. The site occupants must be recorded to ensure local authorities know who is occupying pitches at all times. This will help identify those possibly responsible for damages and will be taken into account when allocating pitches to families in the future to ensure they are maintained to a good standard.

The site manager should remind residents that they must inform the relevant benefit offices, education and health services, as applicable, prior to departure. Residents should also be advised to leave a forwarding address, although they may choose not to do so.

Site managers should provide a reference on behalf of any former resident on request to any site manager or local authority.

If residents of transit pitches wish to leave the site before the expiry of their agreement, they must simply provide written notice to the site manager. There is no notice period required, and occupiers will be entitled to reclaim any overpayments for the period after termination.