Decision details

Waiver of local land charge where a Disabled Facility Grant has been provided

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Housing

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The purpose of this decision is to consider the waiver of local land charges which are registered against properties where a Disabled Facilities Grant has been awarded (specific details of which are contained within a confidential report).

 

Since 1990, local housing authorities have been under a statutory duty to provide grant aid to disabled people for a range of adaptations to their homes.  This grant aid is means tested for adults (not for children), with maximum grants of up to £30,000.  

 

Under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996: Disabled Facilities Grant (Conditions relating to approval or payment of Grant) General Consent 2008, the Council can place a limited charge against owner occupied properties in order to recoup costs over £5,000, with a maximum charge of £10,000.  The charge is repayable upon disposal of the property (sale, assignment or transfer) within 10 years of the certified date. 

 

The legislation states that a local authority must consider the following before it can demand repayment:

 

i)          the extent to which the recipient of the grant would suffer financial hardship were he to be required to repay all or any of the grant;

 

(ii)        whether the disposal of the premises is to enable the recipient of the grant to take up employment, or to change the location of his employment;

 

(iii)       whether the disposal is made for reasons connected with the physical or mental health or well being of the recipient of the grant or of a disabled occupant of the premises; and

 

(iv)       whether the disposal is made to enable the recipient of the grant to live with, or near, any person who is disabled or infirm and in need of care, which the recipient of the grant is intending to provide, or who is intending to provide care of which the recipient of the grant is in need by reason of disability or infirmity

 

             is satisfied that it is reasonable in all the circumstances to require the repayment.

 

Attached as Appendix A is a confidential report outlining the reasons why the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing is asked to consider whether it is appropriate to waiver the local land charge in respect of the four applications received.

Decision:

Applicant 1 – To approve the request to waiver the local land charge of £5,039.27 as specified in the confidential report at Appendix A.

Applicant 2 – To approve the request to waiver the local land charge of £9,328.16 as specified in the confidential report at Appendix A.

Applicant 3 – To refuse the request to waiver the local land charge of £10,000 as specified in the confidential report at Appendix A.

Applicant 4 – To approve the request to waiver the local land charge of £10,000 as specified in the confidential report at Appendix A.

 

Reasons for the decision:

Under criteria i) and iii) set out in the legislation it was agreed  that it is reasonable to waiver the local land charge in this instance to support the family financially in order to help them move to a more suitable property.

Under criteria i) and iii) set out in the legislation it was agreed  that it is reasonable to waiver the local land charge in this instance to support the family financially in order to help them move to a more suitable larger property.

Consideration was given to this request under criteria i) of the legislation.  However, it was agreed that the applicant would not suffer financial hardship as a result of repaying the local land charge and therefore it was considered reasonable to seek repayment.

Under criteria i) set out in the legislation it was agreed that it is reasonable to waiver the local land charge in this instance due to the applicant having to move and requiring a suitably adapted property.

 

Alternative options considered:

Option 1: To refuse the request to waiver the charges upon sale of the properties.

Reasons for Rejection: Reasonable reasons for refusal must be given in each case as the Council could be legally challenged for failing to do so.

Publication date: 07/09/2018

Date of decision: 07/09/2018

Effective from: 15/09/2018

Accompanying Documents: