Local Government and Housing Act 1989

131 Assistance for provision of minor works to dwellings

(1) Subject to the provisions of regulations under subsection (3) below, on an application made to them for the purpose, a local housing authority may give assistance as mentioned in subsection (2) below—

(a) for the provision or improvement of thermal insulation in a dwelling;

(b) for the carrying out of works of repair to a dwelling which, at the time of the application, is included in a clearance area, within the meaning of section 289 of the Housing(c) to an elderly owner or tenant of a dwelling for the carrying out of works of repair, improvement or adaptation;

(d) for the carrying out of works to adapt a dwelling to enable an elderly person who is not an owner or tenant of the dwelling but who is or proposes to be resident in the dwelling to be cared for; or

(e) for any other purpose specified by order made by the Secretary of State.

(2) Assistance under this section may be in the form of a grant or the provision of materials but—

(a) the total amount or value of the assistance given on any one application shall not exceed £1,000 or such other sum as may be determined for the purposes of this paragraph in accordance with regulations under subsection (3) below;

(b) the total amount or value of assistance given under this section in any period of three years in respect of any one dwelling shall not exceed £3,000 or such other sum as may be determined for the purposes of this paragraph in accordance with regulations under subsection (3) below; and

(c) no assistance may be given under this section in respect of works if they are or are included in the eligible works in relation to an application for a grant which has been approved under the preceding provisions of this Part.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the determination of sums for the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) above and, in addition, may for the purposes of this section specify—

(a) the manner in which an application for assistance is to be made and the content of such an application;

(b) the descriptions of dwellings and works in respect of which assistance may be given;

(c) the descriptions of persons to whom assistance may be given;

(d) the procedure for dealing with applications under subsection (1) above and for ensuring that works are carried out to any standard specified in the regulations; and

(e) the way in which the amount of assistance to be given on any application is to be calculated, taking account, in such manner and to such extent as may be determined under the regulations, of the financial circumstances of the applicant.