GRANTS AND FUNDING SERVICE
This section advises on all the grants that are currently available for individual properties,
- Renovation Grants
- Common Part Grants
- Houses in Multiple Occupation Grants
- Home Repairs Assistance Grants
- Disabled Facilities Grants
RENOVATION GRANTS:
Renovation Grants are now available at the discretion of the Council to owners/occupiers, landlords and tenants with repairing obligations providing the dwelling or building was provided by construction or conversion more than 10 years before the date of application.
Purpose - The improvement or repair of dwellings
Allowable Works - To make a property fit for human habitation, put a property into reasonable repair, provide adequate facilities for space heating, provide dwellings by conversion.
Grant Limit - Not normally approved above £20,000
Assessment - Means test as laid down by Regulation and Guidance
Additional Information - Control over the amount of grant can be exercised through determining which works are regarded as eligible within the discretionary policy.
New conditions are available at the discretion of the Council and relate to requiring an applicant to give notice of his intention to dispose of the property, enable the Council to nominate a tenant in respect of a landlord's application, require an applicant to pursue any relevant insurance claim and to repay the government out of the proceeds of such a claim, require an applicant to adequately insure his property and require an applicant to maintain his property in a fit condition for the duration of the grant condition period.
Three year ownership and residence qualification to owner-occupiers and tenants with a repairing obligation. Local Authorities do, however, have discretion to disapply the conditions where they consider there are good reasons why grant aid should be given.
COMMON PARTS GRANTS:
Common Parts Grants are available at the discretion of the Council to either landlords or "occupying tenants". An "occupying tenant" is a person who occupies as their only or main residence, a flat in the building in respect of which they have a particular type of tenancy.
Purpose - The improvement and repair to the common parts of a building.
Allowable Works - To remedy defects in respect of structural stability, serious disrepair, dampness, inadequate ventilation of ineffective drainage systems. In addition, the grant may be given to put the building into reasonable repair, to provide thermal insulation, to provide adequate facilities for space heating, to provide means of escape in case of fire or other fire precautions.
Grant Limit - Not normally approved above £10,000
Assessment - Different methods according to whether the application is from a landlord or tenant. Conditions apply where a landlord disposes of a building within 5 years. This does not apply to tenants application but the Council may impose additional conditions as outlined above under Renovation Grants
HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION GRANTS:
Houses in Multiple Occupation Grants is available at the discretion of the Council to Landlords.
Purpose - The improvement and repair of Houses in Multiple Occupation
Allowable Works - Put an HMO into reasonable repair and full works to make it fit for the number of occupants. In addition, grants may also be given to provide adequate thermal insulation, adequate space heating, means of escape in the case of fire and other fire precautions.
Grant Limit - Not normally approved above £5,000
Assessment - As for other Landlord applications
Additional Information - Conditions of the grant apply where an owner disposes of an HMO within the 5 year grant condition period, and there are conditions as to future occupation, together with a new condition specifically relating to HMO grants, which enable the Council to require repayment of grant where an owner fails the duty under the Housing Act 1985 to keep the premises fit for the number of occupants. The Council may impose additional conditions as outlined under Renovation Grants.
HOME REPAIRS ASSITANCE (HRA) GRANT:
Home Repairs Assistance (HRA) Grant is at the discretion of the Council and replaces Minor Works Grants.
Purpose - To complement mainstream assistance available through the House Renovation Grant system, and to assist persons to remain within their own home.
Allowable Works - Small scale works of repair, improvement and adaptation to a dwelling, which includes mobile homes and houseboats.
Grant Limit - Not normally approved above £2,000
Assessment - Persons on Income Support, Family Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Disability Working Allowance. All elderly, infirm or disabled people where works relate to adaptation or means of escape from fire.
Additional Information - Where the applicant is eligible, the Grant will meet 100% of the eligible cost of the works
DISABLED FACILITIES GRANT (DFG):
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is the only Mandatory Grant, although discretionary DFGs are also available.
Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant:
Purpose - To assist in making a disabled persons dwelling safe and suitable for use.
Allowable Works - Essential adaptations to allow access into and around the dwelling, for essential facilities and amenities within the dwelling, provision of facilities and making the building safe.
Grant Limit - £20,000 maximum
Assessment - Means tested as laid down by the Regulations and Guidance
Additional Information - Discretionary conditions are available relating to the recovery of specialised equipment and repayment of grant subject to an insurance or legal claim.
Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant
Purpose - To make a dwelling or building suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of a disabled occupant in any other aspect than covered by the mandatory DFG.
Allowable Works - In addition to those allowed under the mandatory DFG and which relate to the above purpose.
Grant Limit - No Maximum
Assessment - Means tested as for mandatory DFG
Additional Information - There is a duty placed on the Social Service Authority, West Sussex County Council, that where a need has been established that they should assist even where the housing authority refuse or cannot do so.
If you have read this and would like further information or advice then visit our offices or telephone us on 01403 215407 and ask for the Housing Team.