The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (Assistance to Registered Social Landlords and Other Persons) (Grants) Regulations 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations provide the mechanics for four different grant schemes to be operated by local authorities. They are made under section 93(2) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

The Regulations consist of regulations 1 to 6 and 4 Schedules. Regulations 1 to 6 apply to all four grant schemes. Each of the four Schedules then deal exclusively with one of the grant schemes.

Regulations 1 and 2 deal with the commencement provisions, contain the interpretation of a number of words and phrases that appear throughout the Regulations and Schedules and deal with the application of the Regulations.

Regulation 3 explains that each of the Schedules relates to a different grant scheme and regulation 4 details that each Schedule is divided into four parts. Those four parts all relate exclusively to the grant scheme dealt with in that Schedule. Part 1 details the purpose of the grant scheme. Part 2 details the classes of person who are eligible to apply to the local authority under that grant scheme. Part 3 details the procedure that a local authority is to use in relation to that grant scheme and Part 4 details the terms and conditions that are to apply in relation to that grant scheme.

Regulation 5 details certain procedures that apply to all four grant schemes and regulation 6 states a number of terms and conditions that again apply to all of the grant schemes.

Schedule 1 deals with HAG grant. This grant is available only to Registered Social Landlords for wide ranging purposes in relation to the provision, improvement, adaptation and repair of housing or related matters.

Schedule 2 deals with GRO grant for owner occupation. There are a number of persons who may apply for this grant whose purpose is the provision of houses for owner occupation in various specified areas or for specific categories of individuals.

Schedule 3 deals with RHOG. This grant is available only to individuals who must meet specified criteria. The grant is to assist in the provision of acquiring and improving property which is to be the grant recipient’s only or principal residence.

Schedule 4 deals with GPSE which is a grant to improve the physical, social, economic and recreational environment related to housing. Application for such grant may be made by a wide range of persons.