16Special accommodation payment

16 Special accommodation payment

(1)  If –

(a) an employee is required in the performance of the employee’s duties, either on appointment or transfer, or otherwise not at the employee’s request, to relocate from the employee’s place of residence to another locality; and

(b) the relevant Head of Agency is satisfied that –

(i) the employee is unable to obtain accommodation for the employee or for the employee’s dependants in that locality and as a result incurs additional expense; or

(ii) there is available in that locality for the employee or for the employee and the employee’s dependants only accommodation that will, in the opinion of the Head of Agency, involve the employee in excessive expenditure –

the relevant Head of Agency may grant to the employee a special accommodation payment at a rate determined by the Head of Agency.

(2)  A payment under this regulation to an employee is to be payable for the period, of not more than 3 months, that the Head of Agency determines in relation to the employee, but the Head of Agency may extend that period for one or more additional periods, each of which period is of not more than 3 months.

(3)  The Head of Agency may at any time increase, reduce or revoke any payment made under this regulation.

(4)  An employee who receives a payment under this regulation is to immediately report to the relevant Head of Agency any alteration of the circumstances in consideration of which that payment was granted or in consideration of which a further payment under this regulation may be granted.