Any award would be subject to:
- Assessment by the Technical Officer, taking into account published benchmark, and the outcome of the Test of Resources
- (in the case of structural works) independent assessment of extent of the problem
- At least two acceptable quotes for works
- All successful grant applications will attract an administration charge of £30
The Application would need to contain:
- full details of all owners, and their written consent to the works
- copy of the title deeds
- where Care and Repair is used as an agent, full signed consent from the owner(s)
- full details of the work in question, including plans and specifications (where appropriate) and any necessary statutory consents
- full details of the land on, or premises in which the work is to be carried out
- full details of the expenses (including any professional fees) estimated to be incurred in carrying out the work
- all the information requested on the application to support assessment of the applicant’s contribution
The paperwork must be made available within a reasonable timescale and the Highland Council reserves the right to disregard any application with delayed or missing information. This should be discussed with your Technical Officer.
The Applicant would need to demonstrate:
- That the property is their sole or main residence
- That they have lived in the property for a minimum of two years
- That they were not aware of the problems (ie had not bought the property as an investment/development opportunity or had removed items themselves)
The Council must also be satisfied that:
- the works will deliver a property with suitable living accommodation, that meets structural, service and amenity, and physical condition requirements.
- that the works will not prevent subsequent improvement of attached or neighbouring properties
- that, when applying for a loan, the applicant is unable to obtain a sufficient loan on fair terms from a commercial lender.
• That the applicant can meet the terms of the loan.
The Applicant is responsible for:
- Getting at least two acceptable quotes and supplying further quotes if assessment by THC reveals prices to be unreasonable
- Managing their contractor (the contract is between the applicant and the contractor)
- Making the paperwork for any certified or guaranteed works available for inspection by THC, and ensuring that in the event of house sale, the paperwork can be transferred to the new owner.
- Notifying THC of completion.
Grant or Loan will be paid
- On submission of the receipt at completion or by invoice instalments by prior agreement unless we have agreed a retention.
- Within one month of submission if THC is satisfied at Technical Officer inspection
Conditions A to E apply for ten years beginning with the date on which the work is completed (which cannot be before the house to which the grant or loan relates becomes, in the authority’s opinion, fit for occupation).
- Condition A is that the house must be used as a private dwelling; but that does not prevent the use of part of the house as a shop or office or for business, trade or professional purposes.
- Condition B is that the house must not be occupied by the owner or a member of the owner’s family except as that person’s only or main residence.
- Condition C is that the owner of the land or premises must take all practicable steps to keep it in a good state of repair.
- Condition D is that the owner of the land or premises must, if required to do so by the local authority, certify that the conditions A to C are, in so far as they apply, being observed.
- Condition E is that any discretionary award must be repaid in full if a repayment event occurs within the ten year period.
Breach of condition
The Highland Council has the right to seek repayment with interest if any conditions are found to have been breached.
The Highland Council will not offer further award to a property within 10 years unless:
- The need for further work was unforeseen
- It was impractical to undertake these works alongside the original works
- The work was ineligible when the original application was processed
- Where THC has invited the application
Submission of a false or misleading Application
- This is an offence
- Making false declarations knowingly and wilfully may be a criminal offence for which clients may be prosecuted.
Postponement/Deferment of Financial Assistance
Adaptations are the main focus of the Scheme, followed by Priority Repair and Improvement Works. The Highland Council reserves the right not to offer grant or loan if circumstances prevent it. Budgets are very closely monitored throughout the year and it is unlikely that funds for those priority works deemed eligible for financial assistance would run out. However, in situations where finance is exhausted we would restrict approvals to the highest priority works. For applicants with lower priority, eligible works we would revisit alternative solutions or resubmit applications for the next financial period.