Improvement Work
Under this scheme, the local authorities may improve or extend privately owned houses to eliminate defects or to provide additional accommodation where it is necessary to eliminate overcrowding or to accommodate a person not at present residing in the house, as an alternative to providing local authority housing. The local authority will pay the full costs of the works carried out and you will then pay a charge to the local authority for a maximum of 15 years.
If during the 15-year period, you have paid an amount equal to the total cost of the works, the charge will stop. The local authority will take into account the urgency of your housing needs and the cost-effectiveness of the proposal when deciding whether to improve your house or your relative's house.
Qualifying Criteria
The following criteria applies:
* Owner of or mortgage holder of the property you occupy
* Registered on the local authority housing waiting list
Other Information
Persons benefiting under the scheme are required to pay a weekly or monthly charge related to their means and the cost of the works carried out by the local authority.
The scheme can also be availed of if you are a local authority tenant or tenant purchaser or a tenant of more than one year of a house provided by a voluntary housing body under the rental subsidy scheme, and you return your present house and move to a privately owned house requiring improvement works.
FAQ
Can I apply to improve privately rented dwellings?
No. The scheme does not apply to improvements to private rented houses.
Selling my house, what do I need to know?
You can sell the house at any time. However, if you do so during the 15-year period of charges or before your total payments equal the cost of the works, you will have to make a repayment to the authority.
