Empty Homes
Repayable
Assistance
H
O U S I N G
S E R V I C E
Empty Homes Repayable Assistance is financial assistance given
under the Council's current Housing Assistance Policy to bring
empty properties back into use.
Empty Homes Repayable Assistance - some questions answered:
1. Who is eligible for Assistance?
Persons intending to live in the property are eligible to apply, so
you will have to give a signed undertaking that you intend to do so.
There has to be a significant hazard as defined under the Housing
Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) or disrepair which
amounts to a breach of the Decent Homes Standard.
Separate leaflets on the HHSRS and Decent Homes Standard are
available on request.
2. How much is Empty Homes Repayable Assistance?
The maximum amount that can be given is £10,000.
3. What sort of work might qualify for Empty Homes
Repayable Assistance?
This is likely to be all the work that is necessary to make the
property meet the Decent Homes Standard. In some
circumstances it may not be possible, within the limits of the
Assistance, to carry out all the work that is necessary. In these
circumstances you may be required to carry out the necessary
work at your own cost.
4. Are there any conditions attached to Empty Homes
Repayable Assistance?
You will enter into an agreement to repay to the Council the
whole amount of the Assistance you receive if you:
sell or otherwise dispose of your interest in the property, or
if you do not live in the property in accordance with your
signed undertaking to do so (see question 1, above).
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Bring long term empty properties back into use with Empty
Homes Repayable Assistance
5. How can I apply?
You should contact the Council (details at the back of this
leaflet) and we will send you an application form. Once we
receive this we will carry out an initial assessment to decide
whether you qualify. We will then contact you to make an
appointment to inspect the property.
After we have made an inspection we will write to you to tell you
which works will be eligible for Assistance. You will then be
asked to get estimates for this work. Once we receive these we
can tell you how much your Assistance is likely to be.
6. What other sorts of Assistance are available?
In addition to Empty Homes Grants the Council also gives:
Decent Homes Repayable Assistance;
Small Works Repayable Assistance;
Disabled Facilities Grant.
Separate leaflets on these are available on request.
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7. Are there any other sources of help on empty properties?
The Council takes the issue of empty properties very seriously. Not
only could they provide affordable homes in an area of high property
prices, but they are often an eyesore and a source of nuisance to a
neighbourhood. In recognition of this, as well as Empty Homes
Repayable Assistance, the Council has introduced a number of
initiatives to bring empty properties back into use. If you would like
more information on these please ask us. We would also be
interested to hear of any empty properties you know of in your area.
Please note:
This leaflet gives a brief guide to Empty Homes Repayable
Assistance. A detailed guide is provided in the current Housing
Assistance Policy which can be sent to you on request or
downloaded from our website.
Please tell us if you would like this information
provided in large print or another format.
Private Sector Housing Assistance Team
Epping Forest District Council,
Civic Offices, High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ
Telephone: 01992 564092
Email: [email protected]
www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/housing
May 2017