Scheme of Assistance

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 is to be implemented during 2007/2009.  The Act gives local authorities a range of new powers to encourage owners to exercise their responsibility for the condition of their homes.  Each authority has a duty to develop and make public a "Scheme of Assistance" specific to their area.

Moray Council's Scheme of Assistance will replace the existing Private Sector Housing Grant system.

The new scheme will allow the authority to offer greater advice, information, practical assistance and advice on funding over a range of housing maintenance issues.

The Moray Council is currently working on the development of its scheme of assistance (66.8kb) with an implementation date of 1st April 2010. 
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Introduction

The purpose of any improvement and repair grant system is to achieve significant improvement in the condition of the housing stock. The system is not intended to be used to meet the convenience of a particular occupier of an already satisfactory house (e.g. to enlarge a property) nor to support the commercial activity of a landlord.

Grants should not be given for work, which is tantamount to building a new house, for example where what is essentially a new house is built on little more than the foundations or part of the walls of a derelict building or where large extensions are being provided.

Guide to Housing Grants - Scottish Government booklet

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The Council operates a number of grant schemes to help people living in owner-occupied or privately rented housing to meet the costs of having their homes improved, repaired or adapted. Most grants are at the discretion of the Council and almost all are now subject to a test of the applicant’s financial resources.  A small number of grants are, under certain conditions, mandatory and the Council are obliged to approve these. Other schemes by outside agencies offer home insulation and draught proofing grants (see Energy Assistance Package).

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Improvement Grants (Discretionary)

Discretionary improvement grants can be awarded for improvements to existing houses to bring them up to the tolerable standard, e.g. by installing bathroom facilities, dealing with structural instability, or eradication of severe dampness.

Discretionary improvement grants can be available to make houses suitable for occupants with disabilities, e.g. purpose built extensions to accommodate a ground floor bedroom or shower room.

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Improvement Grants (Mandatory)

A mandatory improvement grant is available if a house lacks any of the basic standard amenities, e.g. bath or shower, WC, wash hand basin, sink and hot and cold water supply. A mandatory improvement grant is also available if a house already has a standard amenity but requires a second one more suitably located for a disabled person.  A mandatory grant is also available for the provision of a ramp and/or stairlift for a disabled person. 

A mandatory improvement grant is available if a house is Below the Tolerable Standard (BTS) and the Council has served an Improvement Order on the property.

A mandatory improvement grant is also available if your house is in an area which the Council has declared to be a Housing Renewal Area (HRA) for improvement (note – there are no HRA’s currently in Moray).

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Repair Grants (Discretionary)

Discretionary repair grants can be awarded for work to both the internal and external fabric of a house, which is necessary to maintain the useful life of the property, e.g. repairs to roof or walls, eradication of rot or replacing rotten window frames which could be affecting the structure.

Discretionary repair grants can also be available for replacing lead piping or reducing exposure to radon gas.

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Repair Grants (Mandatory)

If the Council consider that a house is in a serious state of disrepair, or is likely to fall into serious disrepair, they can serve a Repairs Notice on the property requiring the owner to rectify the faults. If a notice is served under Section 108 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, a mandatory grant is available.

Mandatory repair grants may be available to help meet the cost of works specified in a notice served by the Council on a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) requiring the provision of such means of escape from fire as the Council considers necessary.

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Minimum Percentage Grants

Certain categories of works will be eligible for minimum percentage grant, these include:

• installation for the first time of standard amenities (WC, wash basin, bath/shower, sink and hot and cold water supplies)
• bringing a house up to meet the statutory Tolerable Standard
• works to improve or repair shared parts of a building which includes more than one house
• lead pipe replacement
• works to reduce exposure to radon gas.

Such grants attract 50% rate of grant. Where the amount of grant calculated through means testing is higher than the amount offered under the minimum percentage grant, the applicant will receive the higher amount.

Certain other categories of work for those suffering a disability are also available;

• provision of additional amenities required for use by a disabled person
• adaptations to allow access to the ground/upper floors of a house for a disabled person

Such grants attract 80% rate of grant.  Similiarly, if the amount of grant calculated through means testing is higher than the amount offered under the minimum percentage grant, the applicant will receive the higher amount.

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Financial Assessment - Owner/Occupiers, Tenants and Disabled Occupants

Three elements require to be determined:

• approved expense of grant eligible works
• applicants contribution
• any minimum percentage grant which may apply.

The assessment applies to:

• the owner, where they, any joint owner or a member of any of their families occupies the houses as their main home
• a private tenant who is eligible for grant under part 6 of the Act.
• a disabled occupant, or the parent/guardian of a disabled child

Persons assessed are:

• the applicant
• the applicant’s partner
• except where grant relates to adaptations for a disabled person, any joint owner or joint tenant with the applicant, and the spouse of any joint owner or joint tenant.
• Those in receipt of specified benefits may receive 100% grant i.e. Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, or Guarantee Element of Pension Credit. Further information on benefits is available from Department of Work and Pensions or Moray Council's Welfare Benefits Section.  However, the income of all persons assessed will be calculated to determine the rate of the grant.The assessment includes annual income net of Tax and National Insurance Contributions, interest from savings and income from other sources including pensions (excluding the basic state pension). Annual mortgage and rent payments are also included in the calculation and allowances are built into the assessment regarding children and disabled persons in the family.

The following table gives a broad indication of the level of grant that an applicant can expect. The figures in column 1 are those after the financial assessment calculation i.e. net of tax etc.

These figures are taken from Scottish Government guidance. Details are available on the  Scottish Government website.   Determining the level of grant is subject to verification by the local authority.  The above figures only give a general indication of the level of grant that may be awarded.  The actual level of grant awarded is in 1% increments.  Where the works fall into the minimum percentage grant category a 50% grant may be awarded irrespective of the level of assessable income.

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Financial Assessment - Landlords, Developers, Non Owner/Occupiers

Three elements require to be determined

• a valuation of the property reflecting the condition of the property at time of application
• a valuation of the property if all the proposed works were to have been carried out on the same date.
• the approved expense of the grant eligible works

If the increase in value exceeds the approved expense – no grant.

If the increase in value is less than the approved expense the difference is the amount on which grant is based with a minimum grant of 20%

Grant is increased by 20% for each of the following criteria where works.

• Provide additional housing by conversion or bringing back into use housing which has been empty for at least two years.
• Bring a property up to the Tolerable Standard.
• Are part of a refurbishment scheme.
• Relate to common parts of a building where there is shared responsibility.
• Are carried out by a non-profit making housing provider e.g. Registered Social Landlord or charity.
• Significantly increase the accessibility of a house for a disabled person.

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Works Eligible For Grant

The following are examples of works that may attract grant:

• Works to bring the house up to the statutory Tolerable Standard by the provision of standard amenities, dealing with structural instability or eradication of severe dampness.
• Alteration and enlargement, where this is necessary to provide adequate kitchen or bathroom facilities, or to meet the needs of a disabled person.
• Replacement of unsafe electrical wiring.
• Installation of mains powered smoke detectors
• Provision of adequate heating systems (only when other works are being carried out).
• Provision of adequate thermal insulation (only when other works are being carried out).
• Works required to make the house suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of a disabled occupant e.g. level access showers, ramps, stairlifts or purpose built extensions to accommodate a ground floor bathroom or bedroom.
• Works of repair to both the internal and external fabric of a house which are necessary to maintain the useful life of the property e.g. repairs to walls, roofs, eradication of rot or replacement of rotten window frames which could be affecting the structure.
• The replacement of water supply pipes which are made of lead.
• Works intended to reduce exposure to radon gas.
• In buildings in common ownership, the provision of a fire retardant entrance door and a main door entryphone system.

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Grant Eligibility Criteria

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Increased Expenditure Level

The expenditure limits and eligibility criteria detailed above are set in law and cannot normally be exceeded.  In very exceptional circumstances, the Council can decide to apply to the Scottish Government for an increase in the limits but any decision to do so is at the discretion of the Council.

Who to contact

The Home Improvements Services Section, email privatehousinggrants@moray.gov.uk, will be happy to provide information and guidance on what grants may be available and the procedure to follow when applying.

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Submission of Applications and Grant Process

• The completed application form, signed by the owner(s), must contain full particulars of the building in which the works are to be carried out, along with any supplementary information that may be required. To prevent any unnecessary delay in the grant process it is important that verification of all financial details is provided at the time of application.
• A copy of any necessary plans showing the building as existing and as proposed, with all new work being coloured.
• At least two competitive tenders, for all proposed works, from approved contractors, must be submitted with the application. These should be in the form of detailed priced specifications with the various trades broken down into items and these items individually priced. Lump sum estimates are unacceptable. In cases were the proposed works do not, in the opinion of the Council, justify the preparation of such detailed estimates, a simpler form of priced specification will be accepted, e.g. where the application relates solely to one item or to certain repairs. Professional fees may form part of the cost on which grant is based.
• Where work of damp-proof course insertion and/or dry rot eradication is proposed, estimates must be obtained from firms who are prepared to guarantee the work for a period of 30 years from the completion of the project.
• The grant calculation will be based either on the lowest single contractor or separate trades estimates submitted. The grant will only be paid provided that one of the contractors who tendered for the works be employed, unless with the specific prior agreement of the Council.
• Approval of the grant application normally takes approximately one week from all other statutory approvals being in place and required information received.
• During the course of the improvement/repair works the property will be inspected by staff from the Council’s Grants Section.
• Invoices for the grant can be submitted to the Council for up to four instalment payments, the final payment being due after the Council has satisfied itself that the planned works have been properly completed.
• Applications for payments by instalments will be considered only on the basis that:

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Care and Repair

Most people want to stay in their own home for as long as possible but may need assistance in tackling problems of an old or unsuitable house. Organising and financing building work can be a complex and often distressing experience.

Care and Repair offers independent advice and assistance to help home owners repair, improve or adapt their home so that they can live in comfort and safety in their own community. The free and confidential service is for owner occupiers and private tenants who are at least 60 years of age, low incomed or who have a disability.

Care and Repair can assist by

• Obtaining surveys and drawings.
• Obtaining estimates from reputable contractors.
• Assisting with paper work e.g. filling in forms.
• Applying for Building Warrants and Planning permission where relevant.
• Applying for Improvement and Repair grants.
• Applying for loans or other funding.
• Organising the works.
• Approaching other agencies who may be able to provide help.

A Moray wide Care and Repair three year project is now in operation and details of eligibility, range of services undertaken and other assistance offered to householders can be obtained by contacting the Care and Repair Project Officer Email:mcar@castlehillha.co.uk

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Energy Assistance Package

The Energy Assistance Package provides Government grants to make homes more energy efficient. 

The package has four stages;

• Stage one - offers free energy advice
• Stage two - provides benefit and tax credit checks
• Stage three - provides standard insulation measures
• Stage four - offers enhanced energy efficiency measures including central heating

Details of the qualifying benefit can be supplied by:
SCARF (Save Cash and Reduce Fuel)
1 Cotton Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5EE
Freephone: 0800 512012
Click here to access the SCARF website.

Or contact the Moray Energy Efficiency Advice Project (Phone: 01343 823059)

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Renewable Energy Grants

Further information on this type of grant is available from  Energy Savings Trust. (This link opens in a new window)
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