Apply for Empty homes assistance

Landlord Accreditation Assistance

Assistance amount payable and related issues:

1. Funding is available for landlords to enable them to meet the standards required by Chichester District Council's Landlord Accreditation Scheme. The maximum assistance available is at a rate of 50% of the cost up to a maximum of £4,000 per property every 5 years. The landlord must fund the cost of any works that exceed the maximum level of assistance available.
2. Once your application has been received the property will be inspected by a member of the Housing Standards Team. The inspecting officer will produce a schedule detailing the works required to bring the property up to the scheme standard. However, if you have had a recent Landlord Accreditation Inspection within one months of your financial application, you may not require another inspection to verify works are required. If the schedule given to you following your Landlord Accreditation Inspection already identifies the defect that you intend to rectify with the financial assistance application. An officer will contact you to either discuss the works or arrange an inspection once your application is received if required.
3. Financial assistance will only be considered once we have received a fully completed application form with a minimum of two comparable quotations for the proposed works attached. Once your application has been assessed you will be issued with an "Approval Notice" enabling works to progress. No works should proceed until you have received this letter of approval from Chichester District Council.
4. Financial assistance will only be paid once the works have been completed to a satisfactory standard and our officer has made an inspection to verify works have taken place. A satisfactory invoice has been received (showing where the works took place and/or where the goods ordered were delivered), and the supporting documentation has been submitted: Gas/Oil Safety Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report, floor plan including location of fire precautions, Portable Appliance Test (PAT) and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Please note: Invoices will not be paid if they predate your “Approval Notice” issued by Chichester District Council authorising you to start works.
5. In certain circumstances the Council may make interim payments on satisfactory completion of a particular phase of the works. This must be agreed in writing by Chichester District Council and on the production of an acceptable invoice.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. Applicants must hold a freehold or leasehold interest in the property. For leasehold interests there must be at least 10 years remaining on the contractual term of the lease and it must contain the necessary repairing obligations and consents permitting the landlord to carrying out the works.
3. The applicant must have submitted an application to join the Chichester and Arun Landlord Accreditation Scheme before any funding is approved. On completion of the works the applicant must ensure all supporting documentation including Gas/Oil Safety Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report, PAT test certificate, floor plan, and Fire Risk Assessment (House in Multiple Occupation only) has been submitted to the Council, and the property fully meets the Accreditation Scheme Standards within 28 days of the funding being paid.
4. Landlords must put forward ALL of their properties within Chichester and Arun Districts for a full inspection and assessment under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System and the additional standards that apply under the Landlord Accreditation Scheme are to apply to these premises as well within a 12 month period. Failure to do so may result in any Financial Assistance having been paid under the Financial Assistance Scheme becoming repayable by the landlord to Chichester District Council.
5. Accreditation Assistance cannot be paid for works that have previously been carried out with the aid of another grant funded Council scheme if completion of those initial works were within the last 10 years.
6. Works that are (or ought to be) covered by buildings insurance will not be eligible for Accreditation Assistance.

Property criteria:

1. The property must be a private/company owned residential dwelling that requires works to meet the scheme standards.
2. Private ex-commercial properties (such as potential flats above shops, shops converted to houses etc.) may be considered, providing 'change of use' has been granted if required.

Empty Homes Financial Assistance

Assistance amount payable and related issues:

1. If the property has been empty for a period of 12 months or more funding is available to undertake works to meet the Council’s Accreditation Standard. The maximum assistance available is £10,000 throughout a 10 year period. The landlord must fund the cost of any works that exceed the maximum level of assistance available.
   The property will be inspected by a member of the Housing Standards Team who will produce a schedule required to bring the property up to the scheme standard. Further details of which are available at:
   https://www.chichester.gov.uk/media/15857/Landlord-accreditation-standards/pdf/Landlord_accreditation_standards_.pdf
2. Financial assistance will be approved once a minimum of two reasonable and competitive quotes have been received and accepted.
3. Financial assistance will only be paid once the works have been completed to a satisfactory standard, a satisfactory invoice has been received, and the supporting documentation has been submitted: Gas Safety Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report, floor plan including location of fire precautions, Portable Appliance Test (PAT) and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
4. In certain circumstances the Council may make interim payments on satisfactory completion of a particular phase of the works and production of an acceptable invoice.
5. Works that are (or ought to be) covered by buildings insurance will not be eligible for assistance.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. Applicants must hold a freehold or leasehold interest in the property. For leasehold interests there must be at least 10 years remaining on the contractual term of the lease and it must contain the necessary repairing obligations and consents permitting the landlord to carrying out the works.
3. Landlords must put forward their properties for a full inspection and assessment under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System and the additional standards that apply under the Scheme.
4. Empty Homes Assistance cannot be paid for works that have previously been carried out with the aid of another grant funded Council scheme if completion of those initial works were within the last 10 years.

Property criteria:

1. The property must be a privately owned residential dwelling that requires works to meet the scheme standards.
2. Private ex-commercial properties (such as potential flats above shops, shops converted to houses etc.) may be considered, providing 'change of use' has been granted if required.

You will need the following documents ready to upload in image, PDF, Word or Excel file format less than 5MB in size:

• Two competitive quotes for all relevant works with any necessary plans and specifications
• Details including fees of any preliminary services e.g. technical survey report (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation to show you can complete this application on behalf of a Company owned property

For Empty Homes Assistance, please note you will be required to provide proof of your lettings agreement before any funding will be paid.

Your National Insurance number will be required to complete the application unless you are applying as a Company.

Terms and conditions:

Housing terms and conditions