Grants for Private Landlords and Empty Property Owners
The Council offers grants to private landlords to help with the cost of providing amenities such as toilet, bathroom and kitchen facilities and improving fire safety and energy efficiency in the properties they let in Hackney. The grants are administered by Private Sector Housing and are as follows:
Landlord's Grant (LLG)
Warmth and Security Grant (WSG)
Empty Property Grants (EPGs)
Landlord's Grant (LLG)
One of the Council's priorities is to ensure that privately rented homes are fit to live in and, if those homes are in multiple occupation, that they comply with the minimum standards of amenity and fire safety. Often this will include installing additional kitchens, toilets or washing facilities and upgrading or installing automatic fire detection systems. The grant may cover up to 50% of the cost of this work.
There are certain conditions attached to the grant including the following:
- the premises must be available for letting for a minimum of 5 years after the work is completed;
- if a Notice has been served requiring improvement works to be done, the work must be completed within the time limit specified in the Notice. Grant applications can be made up to 6 months after completion of these works
- other conditions relate to how the application is made, how the work is done and how the money may be claimed
Warmth and Security Grant (WSG)
There is no legal obligation for landlords to provide insulation, home security measures or central heating. However, because the Council's decent homes, energy efficiency and affordable warmth policies aim to ensure that all vulnerable residents live in decent homes by 2010, a grant of up to £5,000 is available to landlords works needed to improve the energy efficiency and security of privately rented homes.
Works may include loft insulation, pipe and tank lagging, draught-proofing, boiler replacement, fitting thermostatic radiator valves, fitting window and door locks and bolts, door chains and viewers and security lighting.
Only one grant is available per property and landlords will be responsible for repairing and maintaining the improvements they make. This may include arranging for annual gas safety checks, which is a legal requirement.
Empty Property Grants (EPGs)
Empty Property Grants are available to help with the cost of bringing properties which have been empty for more than one year back to use. The properties must be made available for letting for a period of 5 years after the work is completed. EPGs are not available to bring properties back to use to sell or to use for owner occupation.
Most of the work necessary to make the property suitable for occupation can be considered for grant assistance. The amount of grant available is 50% of the cost of the work up to a maximum of £10,000.00 for a single family dwelling or up to £25,000.00 for a house converted into 3 or more flats.
Empty property owners who would like to discuss all the options available to them can contact our Private Sector Initiatives and Procurement Team on 020 8356 4704 to speak to Simon Spencer-Cusick or email simon.Spencer-Cusick@Hackney.gov.uk
To find out more about grants generally or to comment on the grants Hackney offers, contact Team Manager, Liz Watson on 020 8356 4556 or email elizabeth.Watson@Hackney.gov.uk.
Page updated: 6 Jun 2008