Accreditation Grant
Works that may be included in an Accreditation Grant are:
- Radon – measuring radon levels and undertaking appropriate remedial works.
- Fire Detection – the provision of a mains wired interlinked fire detection system with detectors that comply with BS 5446 Part 1, and sited in the hallway and on each landing in the dwelling, to a minimum standard of Grade D category LD3 as defined in BS 5839 Part 6: 2004. HMO’s are required to meet a higher standard.
- Security – provision of front and rear entrance doors and frames constructed of robust, external quality hardwood or period softwood, a minimum of 44mm thick and hung on substantial hinges. Locks should be halfway up the door, with a 5/6 pin cylinder mortice lock so that exit and/or escape is possible without the use of a key. All locks to meet the strength requirements of BS3621:1980 – Thief Resistant Locks. UPVC doors with a multi-point locking system will be an acceptable alternative.
- Central Heating and Insulation – if the property has no form of central heating, or the heating system is obsolete or incapable of repair, then a SEDBUK ‘A’ or ‘B’ rated gas combination boiler and up to 5 radiators (including all valves and pipework) may be installed. Where gas central heating is impractical, each habitable room should be fitted with an energy efficient electric heater, preferably an Economy 7 storage heater. This element can only be claimed where the tenant has been refused assistance by Warmfront, or is not eligible for Warmfront assistance and does not qualify for the Council’s Affordable Warmth Grant. In addition, assistance can be given towards works of thermal efficiency or insulation, such as loft, cavity wall or other insulation of the building.
- Glass Fronted Fire – the conversion of a solid fuel fire into a glass fronted fire can be included where this is the main source of heating.
- Energy Efficient Light Bulbs – up to 5 energy efficient light bulbs can be included.
Grant Eligibility
In order to be eligible for an Accreditation Grant an applicant must be a private sector landlord who is an accepted member of the Landlord Accreditation Scheme and must be working towards achieving the Premier Accreditation Standard.
In addition, the landlord must grant nomination rights to High Peak Community Housing and thereby agree to consider tenants from nominations made by them.
Amount of Grant
The maximum grant that can be offered is £2,000 subject to the rules explained above and the grant conditions outlined below.
Grant Conditions and Repayment
Accreditation Grants are given subject to the following conditions:
- The maximum grant that can be offered is £2,000 per property. A landlord can apply for more than one grant if he or she has a number of properties that are accredited with the Local Authority and a separate application is made in connection with each additional property for which assistance is sought. An Accredited landlord cannot make more than 3 applications for grant assistance in any one financial year (April – March).
- In order to be eligible for an Accreditation Grant an applicant must be a private sector landlord who is an accepted member of the Landlord Accreditation Scheme and must be working towards achieving the Premier Accreditation Standard.
- The applicant must submit a Certificate of Intended Letting stating that he/she intends to keep the property available for letting through the Peak Sub-Region Landlord Accreditation Scheme throughout the 5-year period following the date that the Council certifies that the grant works have been completed. The minimum acceptable form of letting is an assured shorthold tenancy – holiday lets are not acceptable;
- The landlord must grant nomination rights to High Peak Community Housing and thereby agree to consider tenants from nominations made by them;
- The property must not be sold or otherwise disposed of within the 5-year period following the date that the Council certifies that the grant works have been completed. This condition will not be breached if the disposal is of any one of the following types:
- The property has been left to someone in a will (although the sale of the property by that person will trigger repayment);
- The property is subject to a compulsory purchase order;
- In any other appropriate circumstances at the discretion of the Review Panel (see Appeals).
Failure to comply with any of these conditions will render the grant repayable in full plus compound interest to the date that the breach of conditions occurred.
These conditions are local land charges and are binding on any person who is for the time being an owner of the premises.
