The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992

Minor works

Assistance for provision of minor works to dwellings

69.—(1) Subject to the provisions of regulations made under paragraph (3), on an application made to it for the purpose, the Executive may give assistance as mentioned in paragraph (2)—

(a) for the carrying out of works of repair to a dwelling—

(i) which, at the time of the application, is included in a clearance area, within the meaning of Article 32 of the Order of 1981, or a re-development area, within the meaning of Chapter III of Part III of that Order, or

(ii) which the Executive intends to include in such a clearance area or a re-development area within the period of 12 months beginning at the date of the application;

(b) to an elderly owner or tenant of a dwelling for the carrying out of works of repair, improvement or adaptation;

(c) for the carrying out of works to adapt a dwelling to enable an elderly person who is not an owner or tenant of the dwelling but who is or proposes to be resident in the dwelling to be cared for;

(d) for carrying out to a dwelling occupied by a disabled person, works for one or more of the purposes mentioned in Article 52(3); or

(e) for any other purpose specified by order made by the Department.

(2) Assistance under this Article may be in the form of a grant or the provision of materials but—

(a) the total amount or value of the assistance given on any one application shall not exceed £1,000 or such other sum as may be determined for the purposes of this sub-paragraph in accordance with regulations under paragraph (3);

(b) the total amount or value of assistance given under this Article in any period of 3 years in respect of any one dwelling shall not exceed £3,000 or such other sum as may be determined for the purposes of this sub-paragraph in accordance with regulations under paragraph (3); and

(c) no assistance may be given under this Article in respect of works if they are or are included in the eligible works in relation to an application for a grant which has been approved under the preceding provisions of this Chapter, unless that application is withdrawn.

(3) The Department may by regulations make provision for the determination of sums for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (2) and, in addition, may for the purposes of this Article specify—

(a) the manner in which an application for assistance is to be made and the content of such an application;

(b) the descriptions of dwellings and works in respect of which assistance may be given;

(c) the descriptions of persons to whom assistance may be given;

(d) the procedure for dealing with applications under paragraph (1) and for ensuring that works are carried out to any standard specified in the regulations; and

(e) the way in which the amount of assistance to be given on any application is to be calculated, taking account, in such manner and to such extent as may be determined under the regulations, of the financial circumstances of the applicant.