Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Twenty things you need to know about housing grants

Applicants should be aware that grant conditions are subject to change and the Council can only provide grant on the basis of current grant conditions. Grants are available subject to budget. The grants budget is prioritised to allow mandatory grants to be given preference over discretionary grants.

1.   In considering a grant application, the Council will need to find out:

• Whether the type of work qualifies for grant assistance
• Whether you will need to make a financial contribution if it is a Disabled Facilities Grant
• Whether your contribution, if any, is likely to be more than the cost of the works
• Whether you have lived in your property for long enough
• Whether a professional agent is needed to help you with your application, for example with plans and specifications.      

2.   Grant works can take anything from a month to a year from application to completion of works, depending on type. The Council has a duty to approve or reject grant applications within six months.

3.    A completed application for a mandatory grant must include the following: 

• A completed application form
• Copies of documents showing all income, savings, and benefits
• Two builders' estimates
• An estimate of the professional agent's fees where applicable
• Plans of any proposed alterations, where applicable.  

and

• Proof of planning and building regulation consents - for more information about these permissions see our Planning applications and Building control pages.
• Proof of ownership of the property in question
• Wherever a pre-occupancy condition is to be imposed, documentary evidence of the length of the applicant’s occupancy
• A certificate of future occupation (an owner-occupation, owner's, tenant's or landlord's certificates).        

4.   Discretionary grant applications are simpler to make.   

5.   A grant will not be approved if the works have already started on site.  

6.   A grant will not normally be given for a property that is less than ten years old unless it is for disabled adaptations.  

7.   To apply for a grant you must be at least 18 years old.  

8.   A grant will only be given to a homeowner, or a leaseholder who has the right to live in that property for more than five years. If you are a private tenant you will need your landlord's permission before a grant can be considered. If you are a joint owner, all parties must agree to any works being carried out.  

9.   Once you have received a grant for which works have been successfully completed, you must inform the Council if you intend to sell the property within five years.

10.  A grant may also be available for work outside the house. This might include adequate lighting, an adequate piped water supply, improved drainage, and access for a disabled person.

11.  There is no grant available for conversion of properties from one use to another.

12.  The costs included in a grant are approved building costs, agent's fees and any statutory fees such as planning application charges.

13.  Energy-efficiency related work will only be carried out where other financial assistance schemes are not available.

14.  A grant may be amended for unforeseen works subject to approval.

15.  The Council can stop or recover a grant if:  

• The information on the application form was false, inaccurate or incomplete. 
• A builder who did not submit an estimate was used. 
• The costs are less than the estimates in the application.
• Work is not completed to the Council's satisfaction within a specified time.        

16.  If a successful insurance claim can be made for approved grant works, the grant can be reclaimed.  

17.  The grant will be paid on completion of work. Stage payments may be possible only in certain circumstances. All payments will require an invoice.  

18.  The Council has the right to pay the builder directly for approved grant works.  

19.  Grant funded works must be completed within one year.  

20.  The Council uses the services of external agents such as Sustain Ltd (an energy services company) and Anchor Staying Put home improvement agency to administer some grants.  

If you wish to apply for a grant, or have any queries, please get in touch with the Housing Operations Team using the contact details on the right.