(1)A local authority may advance money to any person for the purpose of—
(a)acquiring a house;
(b)constructing a house;
(c)converting another building into a house or acquiring another building and converting it into a house; or
(d)altering, enlarging, repairing or improving a house; or
(e)subject to subsection (4), facilitating the repayment by means of the advance of the amount outstanding on a previous loan made for any of the purposes specified in paragraphs (a) to (d).
(2)The authority may make advances whether or not the houses or buildings are in the authority’s area.
(3)In determining whether to advance money under subsection (1), the local authority shall have regard to any advice which may be given from time to time by the Secretary of State.
(4)An advance shall not be made for the purpose specified in paragraph (e) of subsection (1) unless the local authority satisfy themselves that the primary effect of the advance will be to meet the housing needs of the applicant by enabling him either to retain an interest in the house concerned or to carry out such works in relation to that house as would be eligible for an advance by virtue of paragraph (c) or (d) of that subsection.
(5)An advance under this section may be made in addition to assistance given by the local authority in respect of the same house under any other Act or any other provision of this Act.
(6)If it appears to a local authority that the principal effect of the making of an advance under subsection (1) in respect of any premises would be to meet the housing needs of the applicant, they may make the advance notwithstanding that it is intended that some part of the premises will be used or, as the case may be, will continue to be used, otherwise than as a house, and accordingly where, by virtue of this subsection, a local authority propose to make an advance in respect of any premises, the premises shall be treated for the purposes of subsections (1) to (4) as, or as a building to be converted into, a house.
(7)In this section any reference to a house includes a reference to any part share of it.
(8)Schedule 17 shall have effect in relation to the terms of an advance under this section.
F1(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1S. 214(9) repealed (30.9.2002) by 2001 asp 10, s. 112, Sch. 10 para. 13(22); S.S.I. 2002/321, art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions and savings in arts. 3-5)