Housing Act 1974

66 Approval of application for intermediate grant conditional on dwellings attaining a particular standard

(1) A local authority shall not approve an application for an intermediate grant unless they are satisfied that, on completion of the relevant works, the dwelling or, as the case may be, each of the dwellings to which the application relates will attain the full standard or, if any of subsections (3) to (5) below applies, the reduced standard.

(2) For the purposes of this section a dwelling shall be taken to attain the full standard if the following conditions are fulfilled with respect to it, namely,—

(a) that it is provided with all the standard amenities for the exclusive use of its occupants; and

(b) that it is in good repair (disregarding the state of internal decorative repair) having regard to its age and character and the locality in which it is situated; and

(c) that it conforms with such requirements with respect to thermal insulation as may for the time being be specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section; and

(d) that it is in all other respects fit for human habitation, construing that expression in accordance with Part II of the [1957 c. 56.] Housing Act 1957; and

(e) that it is likely to be available for use as a dwelling for a period of 15 years or such other period as may for the time being be specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this subsection.

(3) Where an application for an intermediate grant contains a statement, and the local authority are satisfied, that it is not practicable at reasonable expense for the dwelling to which the application relates to be provided with all the standard amenities, they shall dispense with the condition in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above unless they are satisfied that the dwelling is, or forms part of, a house or building in respect of which they could, by a notice under section 15 of the [1961 c. 65.] Housing Act 1961, require the execution of such works as are referred to in subsection (1) of that section.

(4) If it appears to a local authority that it is not practicable at reasonable expense for a dwelling to which an application for an intermediate grant relates—

(a) to attain the standard of repair required by the condition in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) above, or

(b) to conform in every respect with the requirements referred to in paragraph (c) of that subsection, or

(c) to comply with the condition in paragraph (d) of that subsection,

the authority may, in the case of that dwelling, dispense with the condition in question to such extent as will enable them, if they think fit, to approve the application.

(5) If it appears to a local authority reasonable to do so in the case of any dwelling to which an application for an intermediate grant relates, they may in the case of that dwelling vary the condition in paragraph (e) of subsection (2) above by substituting for the period of 15 years or such other period as may for the time being be specified as mentioned in that paragraph such shorter period as appears to them to be appropriate in the circumstances.

(6) If, in relation to any dwelling, a local authority by virtue of subsection (3), subsection (4) or subsection (5) above dispense, in whole or in part, with any of the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (2) above or vary the condition in paragraph (e) of that subsection, then for the purposes of this section the dwelling concerned shall be taken to attain the reduced standard if, subject to any such dispensation or variation, the conditions in subsection (2) above are fulfilled with respect to it.