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Application for Empty Homes Funding
Please read these notes before completing this form
What is an Empty Home Grant?
To provide assistance to owners of long term empty
residential properties to bring them back into
occupation for the rental market at an affordable
rent. The maximum grant available is £5,000 per
property.
Please note the Empty Homes Fund is a
discretionary scheme operated by the council
and only has limited funds available. Each
application will be judged on it’s merits and the
council retains the right to both determine and
turn down applications as it sees fit.
The authority is under a duty to protect the public
funds it administers and to this end may share
information with other bodies responsible for
auditing or administering public funds, in addition
to other departments within the authority.
Are there conditions?
• Applicants must be the owner of the
empty property or represent the interests
of the owner.
• The property must have been empty for a
minimum of 6 months at the time of application
(evidenced through council
tax information).
• The property will be subject to an inspection and
assessment to determine suitability. Priority will
be given to those properties which meet local
housing need taking account of the size and
location of the property.
• Eligible works are repair to the property e.g.
materials and contractor’s labour costs.
• Ineligible works include professional fees e.g.
surveyor and architect fees, insurance
costs and works to outbuildings or land drainage.
Works which would normally be covered by
standard building insurance are also excluded.
• The council retains the discretion to assess the
eligibility of certain work in complex cases.
• Works must not have already commenced or
been completed at the time of the application.
• The maximum grant available is £5,000 per
property. No more than one grant for the same
property will be considered.
• The amount of the assistance will be secured
by attaching a land charge to the property for
a period of 5 years from the completion of the
grant funded work. If the property is sold or
transferred within 5 years the grant must be
repaid in full.
• The property must be brought back into use
within 12 months of payment of the grant. The
grant must be re-paid in full if this is not satisfied.
• The property must be available for rental
purposes at a rent not exceeding the Local
Housing Allowance Rate relevant for the
property for a period of 3 years. The grant must
be re-paid in full if this is not satisfied.
• Agree to consider tenants referred by
the council.
• The property must not be rented to a member of
the owner’s family during the 3 year period.
• Evidence of financial commitment to complete
the project must be evidenced at the time
of application.
• The property must be refurbished to the Decent
Homes Standard.
• All works must comply with applicable planning,
building control and housing standard
requirements.
• This grant is discretionary and provided subject
to funding availability.
How do I Apply?
Complete this form and make sure that you answer
all the questions that apply to you, and return this
form with all the supporting documents.
Your application may be delayed if you do not send the supporting documents.
Please return this form and supporting documentation to:
Private Sector Housing , South Kesteven District Council, St Peter’s Hill , Grantham, NG31 6PZ
If you are unsure how to answer any questions please contact us:
Tel: 01476 40 60 80
Address of property to be improved (include name and flat letter or number if appropriate)
Is the building a:
Flat
Maisonette
Bungalow
House
Other
Please tick one of the boxes below to indicate the number of bedrooms
1
2
3
4+
PLEASE ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS
About you (the person applying for the grant)
Title:
Mr
Mrs
First name:
Miss
Ms
Surname:
Middle name (s):
Your contact details
Address for correspondence - include name and flat letter or number if appropriate
Home or evening telephone number
Work or daytime telephone number
Mobile Number
Email Address
Please tick one box. Do you own the property?
Yes
No
If not please explain how you relate to the property
What was the approximate date the property became empty
/
/
Future Use
As a condition of the grant you are to let the property for at least 3 years, taking into consideration the
conditions on page 1 please complete the following:
1. I agree to the council referring potential tenants
Yes
No
2. I agree to charge a rent not exceeding the Local Housing Assistance rate
Yes
No
2. I would consider renting to people in receipt of housing benefit
Yes
No
If you wish to add any comments please use the space provided below
Repair Cost
Please provide the following details
Repairs required (list separately e.g heating, windows
Estimated cost of repairs
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Total cost of works (A)
£
Empty Home Funding (£5000 max) (B)
Calculate A less B equals clients contribution please enter
£
Supporting Documents
The supporting documents required to be included with this application are:
• Copy of proof of ownership, e.g. land registry or copy of deeds
• Copies of quotes for the estimated cost of repairs
• Proof of available funds to complete the job, e.g. bank statements (within the last 3 months)
Declaration
I declare to the best of my knowledge the information I have given on this form is correct.
If successful I will inform my mortgage lender that I have applied for a grant.
I am the grant applicant signed:
On behalf of (name of organisation):
Date:
Anyone who knowingly signs a false declaration may be guilty of an offence and might be prosecuted if
the council has evidence of an intention to obtain a grant by deception.
Checklist
Before you return this form please make sure that you have:
Answered all the questions that apply to you
Read and signed the declaration
Enclosed a copy of proof of ownership
Enclosed a copy of quotes for the estimated cost of repairs
Enclosed proof of available funds
Please return the application form and all supporting documents to:
Private Sector Housing, Council Offices, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham NG31 6PZ
00450RT_4.14