14.1. The Home Improvement Loan is an interest free loan of up to £50,000 in any five years for owner occupiers that is repayable upon sale or transfer of ownership.
14.2. The following elements of the decent home’s standard are eligible for the loan:
- Works required to make the dwelling fit for human habitation
- Repairs.
14.3. The loan cannot be used to pay for repairs which are covered under an applicants buildings insurance policy.
14.4. You will be expected to have home buildings insurance to cover any future emergency repairs to your home.
14.5. Home improvement loans will be provided directly by Norwich City Council who will:
- Inspect the dwelling to identify the works that are eligible for funding.
- Specify what needs to be done.
- Where necessary, arrange for planning permission and building control approval.
- Appoint builders to carry out the works.
- Supervise the works.
- Pay the builders on satisfactory completion.
14.6. All eligible applications for assistance will be assessed by Norwich City Council. Applicants must be in receipt of one of the following benefits to be eligible for a Home Improvement Loan:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-Related Employment Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit
- Warm Home Discount Scheme Rebate
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Benefit *
* Household income limits apply. See table below.
If you are applying for the loan and using Child Benefit as the qualifying benefit, your income from all sources (before tax) must not exceed the limits shown below. The amounts vary depending on whether you are a single claimant or part of a couple and the number of children for whom you are responsible.
| Child Benefit Claim Type | Income |
| Single & 1 Child | £19,900 |
| Single & 2 Children | £24,800 |
| Single & 3 Children | £29,600 |
| Single & 4+ Children | £34,500 |
| Couple & 1 Child | £27,500 |
| Couple & 2 Children | £32,300 |
| Couple & 3 Children | £37,200 |
| Couple & 4+ Children | £42,000 |
14.7. Applicants must be an owner-occupier of the dwelling to which the application applies.
14.8. Applicants must have lived in the property for at least 6 months to be eligible for the home improvement loan
14.9. Applicants must allow Norwich City Council to take whatever steps it considers appropriate to verify the application.
14.10. The council will not approve an application if the relevant works have been started before the application is approved.
14.11. The council may re-determine the approved amount of assistance if it is satisfied that, owning to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, the eligible works cannot be, or could not have been, carried out on the basis of the amount of the expenses originally approved.
14.12. The council may re-determine the approved amount of assistance if it is satisfied that, owning to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, the eligible works cannot be, or could not have been, completed without carrying out additional unforeseen works. The council must approve variations arising from unforeseen works before they are carried out.
14.13. If the works are not completed within 12 months of approval then the offer of assistance will be withdrawn. The council may extend this period on application.
14.14. The council will place a legal charge on your property as security for the loan. If there are any costs associated with this charge, they will be added onto the loan
14.15. Repayment of the full amount of the loan is required:
- On sale or transfer of ownership
- If the property ceases to be the applicant’s principal residence
- If the property remains vacant for more than six months.
14.16. The council may decide not to demand repayment or may defer its demand for repayment under the following circumstances:
- Where the applicant has died, and the ownership of the property is transferred to a person who lives there as their only place of residence and who was in residence at the time of the applicant’s death.
- Where it is satisfied that the applicant is so elderly and infirm that they are disposing of the dwelling with the intention of going to live in a hospital, a hospice, sheltered housing, a residential care home or a place where care will be provided and where there is clear evidence that repayment would lead to hardship.
- Where the applicant has been forced to move due to racial or other harassment or domestic violence.
14.17. The Home Improvement Manager will determine when repayments can be deferred or waived as set out above. When request are refused appeals can be made to the Director of Housing and Community Safety.
