Policy for giving Grants for Home

Improvements and Adaptations

2014/2015

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NLT Apr 141

1: Background

1.1 This policy covers the period from April 2014 to March 2015 inclusive. It is part of Bournemouth Borough Council’s Housing Strategy, which aims to improve the condition of privately owned homes and make the best use of existing homes within the borough. The strategy sets out the housing vision for Bournemouth in eight key housing aspirations. It is available on the Council’s website at www.bournemouth.gov.uk

1.2 This policy supports the following aims:

• The Council aims to help disabled people adapt their homes to enable them to continue to live more independent lives. It does this by providing Disabled Facilities Grants and Relocation Grants. For more information about these grants, please refer to:

Section 4 - Home Adaptations for Disabled People.

• The Council aims to help people to deal with emergency repairs in their home and to improve security. It does this by providing Emergency Small Works Grants to help owner-occupiers with a range of emergency repairs. The Council also funds improvements to security through a partner organisation, for owner-occupiers and tenants. For more information please refer to: Section 5 - Emergency Repairs and Security.

• The Council aims to help people keep warm in their homes and reduce fuel poverty. It does this by giving Energy Efficiency Grants for the installation of loft and cavity wall insulation. For more information about these grants, please refer to: Section 6 - Energy Efficiency Grants

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The Council aims to bring empty homes back into use. It does this by providing advice to owners and Empty Homes Grants.For more information about these grants, please refer to: Section 7 - Empty Homes Grants.

2: Funding for Grants2.1 Funds for Disabled Facilities Grants

2.1.1Central Government allocates funds to the Council each year to provide Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). For 2014/15 the allocation is expected to be around £573,000.

The Council is also able to provide some additional funding for the delivery of DFGs during 2014/15 from remaining Private Sector Renewal reserves.

2.1.2 DFGs are awarded in accordance with the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996; as amended by the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance)(England & Wales) Order 2002 and any subsequent amendments or guidance.

2.2 Funds for other Private Sector Home Improvement

2.2.1 The Council is able to approve funding in the form of remaining Private Sector Renewal reserves, for a limited range of private sector home improvements.

3: General Information about Grants.3.1 With the exception of the Disabled Facilities Grants, all the grants described in section 1.2 above will only be given at the Council’s discretion.

3.2 Funds will be prioritised due to limited resources.

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3.3 The grants are only available for properties which are located within the boundaries of the Borough of Bournemouth.

3.4 The Council will attach specific conditions to grants and tell applicants what these conditions are before it gives an approval for a particular grant.

3.5 The Council will not accept grant applications from the owners or occupants of commercial premises, such as hotels or guest houses.

4: Home Adaptations for Disabled People

4.1 Disabled Facilities Grant

4.1.1 Disabled Facilities Grants provide funding to adapt a disabled persons home to help to improve access into their home, moving around the home and enjoying the home and its amenities and facilities.

4.1.2 Councils are required to provide grants to help disabled people adapt their homes. This is set down in the ‘Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996’ as amended by the ‘Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England & Wales) Order 2002’.

4.1.3After contacting the Council, an Occupational Therapist will carry out an assessment of the disabled person’s requirements and help to assess whether they are eligible for the grant.

4.1.4 Before a grant application can be confirmed, an assessment has to be made of the disabled person’s financial circumstances. This assessment determines whether the person will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of the adaptation.

4.1.5If the disabled person is a child, there is no requirement for a financial assessment.

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4.1.6 The maximum Disabled Facilities Grant allowed is currently £30,000.

4.1.7 If you receive a grant for the installation of equipment such as a stair lift or a through-floor lift, a local land charge will be registered on the property. This entry remains on the register for 5 years. This applies to applications from both owners and tenants.

4.1.8 For adaptations which are carried out in owner-occupied properties a local land charge will be registered with the Council whenever a grant of more than £5,000 is paid. The entry remains on the register for 10 years. If the owner sells, or otherwise disposes of the property, within 10 years of receiving the grant, the Council may require the repayment of some of the grant. The amount to be repaid would normally be any amount of grant that exceeds £5000. The Council will not require repayment of more than £10, 000 maximum.

For more information about applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant please contact:

Bournemouth Care Direct: 01202 454979Fax: 01202 454975Email: caredirect@bournemouth.gov.uk

4.2 Disabled Persons Relocation Grant

4.2.1 This grant is available when a disabled person qualifies for aDisabled Facilities Grant and one of the following circumstances exist:• the adaptations that are needed are not practicable in the

persons current home; or

• the adaptations involve major work and it would be beneficial to the disabled person and more cost effective if they moved to a home more suitable to their needs; or

• the disabled person is a tenant whose landlord has reasonably refused to give consent to the adaptation work.

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4.2.2 A relocation grant is only payable where a move to a new property has been deemed necessary by the Council and the new home has been approved as suitable by the Council’s Occupational Therapist and Grants Technical Officer.

4.2.3The grant can only be used to cover the costs related to moving house, and includes:

Reasonable solicitor’s fees Estate agent’s fees Removal costs

The maximum Disabled Persons Relocation Grant is £8,000.

4.2.4The applicant may be required to make a contribution to the costs and this will be assessed in the same way as for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

4.2.5 Disabled Persons Relocation Grants are limited to applicants who own or privately rent their home and need to move to a more suitable property.

For more information, or to apply for a Relocation Grant please contact:

Bournemouth Care Direct: 01202 454979Fax: 01202 454975Email: caredirect@bournemouth.gov.uk

5: Emergency Repairs and Security Measures

5.1 Emergency Small Works Grants

5.1.1 These grants are for one or more of the following types of work:

• emergency repairs • work needed to enable a person to return to their own home

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following a period in hospital or other care (if not eligible for a

Disabled Facilities Grant)

The grant may include costs incurred in arranging the work, subject to the discretion of the Council.

5.1.2 The maximum Emergency Small Works Grant (ESWG) available is £2,000 subject to the discretion of the Council.

5.1.3To be eligible to apply for an ESWG, the applicant must:

a) be an owner-occupier who has been living in their property for a period of at least 1 year, AND

b) not received an ESWG from the Council in the previous 3 years, AND

c) be in receipt of one or more of the following income related benefits:-

Housing Benefit Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance Working Tax Credit with annual household income of less

than £15,050 Child Tax Credit with an annual household income of less

than £15,050 Guaranteed Pension Credit (Not Savings Pension Credit

alone) Income Based Employment and Support Allowance (Not

contribution based) Universal Credit

5.1.4 Repayment of ESWGs

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All grants in excess of £1000 will be subject to repayment on the sale or transfer of the property within a 5 year period. To enable this a local land charge will be placed on the property from the date on which the works were completed.

For more information about applying for an Emergency Small Works Grant please contact:

Bournemouth Grants Team: 01202 451334Email: grants@bournemouth.gov.uk

5.2 Handy Van Security Service

5.2.1This is a scheme to upgrade the security measures to homes occupied by people who have been burgled, or have been identified by the Police as being at risk of a burglary. It is a service to fit locks and other home security measures. The labour is free and the cost of the materials, up to a value of £150, is also free.

5.2.2 Bournemouth Council works in partnership with Dorset Police and East Boro Housing Trust to provide this service.

5.2.3The following people may apply for assistance through the Handy Van Security Service:

owner-occupiers, or tenants who live in Bournemouth and are aged 60 or over and have been assessed to need improvements to their home security.

For more information about the scheme or to apply, please contact:

Handy Van Security Service: 01202 883503Email: handyvan@ebht.org.uk

6: Energy Efficiency Grants

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6.1 There are two schemes which offer grants to improve the energy efficiency of homes. These apply to owner-occupied homes or homes that are privately rented. The Dorset Energy Advice Centre works with the Council by organising the schemes.

6.2 A – D Scheme

6.2.1 This grant is to help both tenants and owner-occupiers to ensure their homes are well insulated to help to them keep warm, reduce the cost of fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions in traditional brick built properties. The grant is for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation (including top-ups), hot water cylinder jackets and draught proofing. The maximum A-D Grant is £1,500.

6.2.2Owner-occupiers and tenants who live in a property which is in Council Tax band A, B, C or D may apply for the scheme if they also meet ANY of the conditions listed in a), b) or c) below:

a) In receipt of one or more of the following income related benefits:

Housing Benefit Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance Working Tax Credit with annual household income of less

than £15,050 Child Tax Credit with an annual household income of less

than £15,050 Guaranteed Pension Credit (Not Savings Pension Credit

alone) Income Based Employment and Support Allowance (Not

contribution based) Universal Credit

OR

b) owner-occupier or private tenant aged 65 or overOR

c) Tenant of a landlord who is accredited and registered on the Dorset Register of Accredited Landlords.

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6.3 Private Rented Property Insulation Scheme

6.3.1The Private Rented Property Insulation Scheme (PRPI Scheme) is to improve the energy efficiency of tenanted properties that may be difficult to insulate and includes properties that consist of smaller flats or units of accommodation, for example ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation or HMOs. The grant is for the installation of loft and/or cavity wall insulation.

6.3.2Under this scheme, the amount of grant available to help to insulate each property will vary depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the work to install the insulation. Each application will be considered separately.

6.3.3The following people may apply for a grant under the PRPI Scheme:

a) Tenants who are in receipt of one or more of the following income related benefits:

Housing Benefit Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance Working Tax Credit with annual household income of less

than £15,050 Child Tax Credit with an annual household income of less

than £15,050 Guaranteed Pension Credit (Not Savings Pension Credit

alone) Income Based Employment and Support Allowance (Not

contribution based) Universal Credit

ORb) Landlords who are accredited and registered on the Dorset

Register of Accredited Landlords.

OR

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c) Landlords of HMOs where at least 50% of the flats/units are occupied by tenants who are in receipt of one of the above benefits.

For more information about applying for any of the Energy Efficiency Grants please contact:

Dorset Energy Advice Centre: 0800 9750166

7: Empty Homes Grants

7.1.1 These discretionary grants are available to the owners of empty homes to help to improve them and bring them back into use as rented accommodation. Funds will be prioritised due to limited resources.

7.1.2 To qualify, the empty home must have been un-occupied for at least 6 months prior to the grant application date.

7.1.3 The property will be inspected under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and a schedule of works will be drawn up. The schedule will identify the works required to eliminate any Category 1 and Category 2 hazards identified and bring the property up to the decent homes standard.

7.1.4 The owner will generally be responsible for funding those works required to rectify Category 1 hazards and the grant will be

available to fund work required to eliminate Category 2 hazards and bring the property up to the decent homes standard. This will be assessed on a case by case basis.

7.1.5 In all cases, the grant will not be paid unless the property complies with all relevant legal requirements when the work is completed. This will include meeting the Decent Home Standard and obtaining the appropriate Planning and Building Regulation approval, where necessary.

7.2 Empty Home Grant Conditions

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7.2.1 It will be a condition of the grant that the empty home owner agrees for the Council to nominate tenants to live in the property for an agreed period. The owner could either:

a) Enter into an agreement with the Council enabling the Council to

refer prospective tenants for the property for the agreed period; or

b) Enter into a management agreement with Homes4Let, the Council’s charitable letting agency; or

c) Enter into a property leasing agreement with a local Housing Association.

In each case the minimum term of the agreement will be directly linked to the amount of grant received, as set out in the table over the page.

Property Type A - 3 bedrooms or more

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Maximum grant - £30,000

Grant given Tie-in for council nominationsless than £6000 1 year£6000 - £11, 999 2 years£12,000 - £17,999 3 years£18,000 - £23,999 4 years£24,000 - £30,000 5 years

Note: £30,000 is the maximum grant available for this type of property however, the amount provided will be based on the works

required to bring the property up to decent home standard.

Property Type B - 2 bedroomsMaximum grant - £20,000

Grant given Tie-in for council nominationsless than £4000 1 year£4000 - £7, 999 2 years£8,000 - £11,999 3 years£12,000 - £15,999 4 years£16,000 - £20,000 5 years

Note: £20,000 is the maximum grant available for this type of property however, the amount provided will be based on the works

required to bring the property up to decent home standard.

Property Type C - 1 bedroom or studioMaximum grant - £10,000

Grant given Tie-in for council nominationsless than £2000 1 year£2000 - £3, 999 2 years£4,000 - £5,999 3 years£6,000 - £7,999 4 years£8,000 - £10,000 5 years

Note: £10,000 is the maximum grant available for this type of property however, the amount provided will be based on the works

required to bring the property up to decent home standard.

If the agreement is breached, the Council may claim back the amount of grant paid.

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For more information about applying for Empty Homes Grant please contact:

Empty Homes Team: 01202 451430Grants Team: 01202 451334email: grants@bournemouth.gov.uk

8: Other Grant Assistance8.1 Provided there is sufficient funding in the form of private sector

renewal grant reserves, in exceptional circumstances, the Council may consider an offer of an additional contribution to one of the grants listed in this policy, at its own discretion.

9: How to enquire about these grants.If you would like to find out more, or apply for any of these grants, please contact the appropriate agency number listed in this document. You will find it at the end of the section providing information about the grant you are interested in.

Alternatively you may wish to contact the Bournemouth Council Grants Team direct:

Grants Team: 01202 451334email: grants@bournemouth.gov.uk

If this contact information changes, the Council will advertise the new information on the website, www.bournemouth.gov.uk

10: Review of the Policy

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10.1The Policy takes effect from 1 April 2014. An annual review of the Policy will take place in 2015. The Council may review and amend the Policy earlier at its discretion.

For further information about this policy please contact:

Nicky ThomasHousing Manager (Private Sector Strategy and Adaptations)Telephone: 01202 451305email: nicky.thomas @bournemouth.gov.uk

Large print and audio versions of this document are available on request.

11: TranslationsThe text on the next page reads:

‘This document contains information about the Council’s Policy on giving Grants for Home Improvement to Householders. If you would like a copy in your language, please write your name in box 1 below and your address in box 2 below and draw a circle around the name of the language you would like this provided in. Then send this leaflet to:’

Housing Grants Team,Bournemouth Borough Council,Town Hall E4,St. Stephen’s Road,Bournemouth.BH2 6LL

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التالي:

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PORTUGUESE PortuguêsEste documento contém informações acerca da política do Município sobre empréstimos e subsídios para melhoramentos de casas privadas. Se desejar uma cópia no seu idioma, escreva por favor o seu nome na secção 1 e o endereço na secção 2 abaixo, e desenhe um círculo à volta do nome do idioma em que deseja receber a cópia. Depois envie este folheto para:

1.

2.

NLT Apr 1416