Housing

Empty Home Incentive Terms and Conditions

In this section

£1,000 Incentive – Terms and Conditions

Background

1.1 The Empty Homes Loan Scheme (“the Scheme”) is an initiative provided by Malvern Hills District Council (“the Council”) which provides financial assistance by way of a repayable loan to property owners to bring empty properties back into occupation.

1.2 As part of the Scheme, the Council is offering an incentive in the sum of £1,000.00 (“the Incentive”) to property owners who following completion of the loan funded works bring the property into occupation by letting it to a tenant referred through the Council’s ‘Tenant Referral Service’.

1.3 The Incentive is separate from and in addition to any loan provided under the Scheme. The terms and conditions of the loan agreement remain entirely separate to this Incentive.

Property

The Property to which this Incentive relates is…..

“the Property”

2. Eligibility for the Incentive

2.1 The Property must be approved for the Empty Homes Loan Scheme and all required loan works must be completed to the satisfaction of the Council.

2.2 The Property must be safe, secure, and compliant with all relevant housing standards, including but not limited to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and any locally adopted standards.

2.3 The Owner must accept a tenant for the Property referred exclusively through the Council’s Tenant Referral Service.

3. Conditions for Payment

3.1 The Incentive will be payable only after the referred tenant has signed a tenancy agreement and taken up occupation of the Property.

3.2 The tenancy must be for a minimum fixed term of twelve (12) months.

3.3 The Owner must provide evidence of the signed tenancy agreement and the date the tenant moved in to the Property

3.4 The Council reserves the right to withhold payment if any information provided by the Owner is false or misleading.

4. Owner Obligations

4.1 The Owner must ensure the property remains legally compliant throughout the tenancy, to include (but not limited to) gas safety, electrical safety, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and any licensing requirements.

4.2 The Owner agrees to maintain the Property in good repair and address any serious hazards within reasonable timeframes.

4.3 The Owner agrees to engage with the Council’s tenancy sustainment services if requested.

5. Council’s Rights and Limitations

5.1 The Council reserves the right to withdraw or amend the Incentive offer at any time prior to a referred tenant signing a tenancy agreement.

5.2 The Council accepts no liability for loss of rent or damage caused by the tenant.

5.3 The Council does not act as guarantor for the tenant.

6. Repayment of Incentive

6.1 The Council may require repayment of the Incentive if the Owner has breached these Terms and Conditions.

6.2 Repayment may also be required if the tenancy ends within the first six months due to action or inaction by the Owner.

6.3 Repayment must be made in full within 14 days of demand, by BACS transfer to the Council’s bank account, details of which will be provided in the formal demand notice.

7. Data Protection

7.1 The Council will process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

7.2 Information may be shared with relevant partner agencies for the purpose of tenancy sustainment or safeguarding.

8. General

8.1 These Terms and Conditions may be amended by the Council at any time.

8.2 These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales