July 2006

The Social HomeBuy chapter is now incorporated into the main guide, however unfortunately the New Build Homebuy and Open Market Homebuy chapters are still subject to some final amendments and are not yet available. As soon as they are an announcement will be made.

Following the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s (ODPM) change of name to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) references in this guide have been updated where appropriate.

GENERAL

• General-1, para 10 etc in respect of ‘Authorised Signatories’ has been amended,  RSLs are encouraged to read this revised entry to ensure they meet the necessary requirements. 
• General-2, para 1.3 now explains that there is a direct  link to a copy of the Partnering Programme Agreement on the Capital Funding Guide homepage on the Corporation’s website.
• A copy of the “Standardised Terms of Engagement” referred to in the Partnering Programme Agreement is now available at General-2 Appendix 1.
• The Glossary definition in respect of Supported Housing has been revised

REC

• In order to access the suite of RCGF forms from the Corporation’s website, users should now type F2 – 28/97 in the search facility to locate the relevant circular. REC-2, para 2.1 has been amended.

Social Homebuy

• The new chapter providing guidance on eligibility and application processing is now available, together with an index list.  Sample SHB leases can be located via a direct link from the Capital Funding Guide’s homepage on the Corporation’s website, www.housingcorp.gov.uk.  

Sale

• Proposed revisions to this chapter are still subject to discussion and an update will be provided in due course. RSLs should refer to the current chapter and contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists. The sample leases are now available direct from our website via the link on the Capital Funding Guide webpage and are no longer contained within this chapter.

Homebuy

• Proposed revisions to this chapter to take into account the new Open Market Homebuy product are still subject to discussion and an update will be provided in due course. Homebuy Agents should refer to the current chapter and contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists.

VPG

• Following the replacement of Voluntary Purchase Grant with Social Homebuy, this chapter has been substantially reduced. It now contains details relating to post VPG sales issues; for example: - repayment of discount; right of first refusal; further lending; annual monitoring. 

RTA

• Two new Approved Lenders, Cheval Property Finance plc and Church House Trust plc, have been added to the list at RTA-4. Paragraph 16.1 also explains that the most up-to-date list is available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website and gives the relevant web address.

KWL

• Fully qualified social workers (also know as Guardians) and children’s social workers, employed by The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and have attained the recognised professional social worker degree/diploma are now eligible to be treated as keyworkers and details have been added to Annex B under CAFCASS.
• Connexions Personal Advisors employed by either a local authority or Connexions Partnership are now eligible to be treated as key workers – Annex B has been updated accordingly.
• Intermediate Rent – Assured Shorthold Tenancies – no right of succession. Following legal advise that the final sentence at KWL-4 para 4.8 is incorrect this has now been removed.
  

May 2006

The Social HomeBuy chapter is now available, however the Corporation is still waiting for copies of the leases to be finalised by its legal advisors. When available the Social HomeBuy leases will be added to the Capital Funding Guide homepage.

The April 2006 Key Worker Living chapter has been revised and readers should familiarise themselves with the new chapter. Headline changes include:

• the range of eligibility criteria at annex B
• criteria in respect of temporary contracts for all key workers
• trainee key workers are now eligible for Intermediate Market Rent
• changes to the product names:  Homebuy is now called Open Market HomeBuy and Shared Ownership now NewBuild HomeBuy
• Annex A in respect of  the Homebuy Agents role has been updated
• copies of sample leases are no longer contained in this chapter and are available via the Corporation website's  Capital Funding Guide homepage - see KWL-3 para 11.1

April 2006

The guide has been substantially updated to reflect the new NAHP, the new approach to programme management and payments, and the removal of Total Cost Indicators.

Details in respect of the new low cost home ownership projects; Social Homebuy, NewBuild Homebuy and Open Market Homebuy are currently being finalised, and will be available in due course.

Other headline changes include:

GENERAL 

• The inclusion of the Partnering Programme Agreement arrangements in GENERAL-2. 
• All Funding Conditions for 2006/08 have been updated and bought together at GENERAL-1,3. 
• The section at GENERAL-5 in respect of S106 agreements has been updated 
• Reference to supported housing at GENERAL -8 has been updated 
• The Investment Glossary has been updated
• Detail of the Egan Agenda added as GENERAL-13.

REC
 
Following a major review of the Grant Recovery policy which is due to take effect from 1 April 06, a revised chapter will be published shortly.  In the interim, high level information on the changes is produced at the beginning of the REC chapter  Any questions on their implementation should be addressed to the Housing Corporation enquiries team on 0845 230 7000.  Aspects of grant recovery not covered by the changes will continue to be governed by existing guidance within this chapter.
 
REPAIR
 
Repair-1 , para 5 etc in respect of Stock Condition Survey has been renamed Asset Management and updated .
 
MILESTONES 
 
A new chapter currently under construction; this will cover milestone targets to aid monitoring and effective programme delivery and will be published in due course.
 
PAYMENTS
 
A new chapter currently under construction; this will provide guidance on applications for payment. In the meantime RSLs wishing to claim payment of grant should telephone 020 7393 2234.
 
SOCIAL HOMEBUY

A new chapter currently under construction; this will provide guidance on eligibility  and application processing and will be published in the near future.
 
SALE
 
Proposed revisions to this chapter are still subject to discussion and an update will be provided in due course. RSLs should refer to the existing chapter and continue to use the existing leases. RSLs should contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists.

HOMEBUY
 
Proposed revisions to this chapter to take into account the new Open Market Homebuy product are still subject to discussion and an update will be provided in due course. Homebuy Agents should refer to the existing chapter and contact their Regional Investment Officer where any doubt exists.
 
RTA

• The RTA suite of forms can now be downloaded from the Corporation’s website
• Further guidance on rural exemptions added at RTA-3, para 2.4
   

CHALLENGE FUND

Chapter removed – please refer to previous versions of this guide.

PP

Chapter removed and incorporated in General-2. 

KWL

Annex B and B(ii) entries in respect of Health and Probation expanded. This is also due for further revision and an update is to be published in due course.

March 2006

Partnering Programme: automated procedural checklists are now available to be used by the Lead RSL’s appointed external auditors. These are available for dowload in Microsoft Excel format from the main Capital Funding Guide page.

There are a total of 4 procedural compliance checklists: 

• Right to Acquire v1.0
• Voluntary Purchase Grant v1.0
• Homebuy v2.2
• Rent, Sale, Major Repairs and Miscellaneous Works (MRMW) v2.2

The HOMEBUY v 2.2,  and RENT/SALE/MRMW v 2.2 checklists are replacing version 2.1 with immediate effect.

Version 2.1  is in appendix 4 of the Partnering Programme chapter of the current Capital Funding Guide.  This version covers Rent/Sale/MRMW and Homebuy checks; to increase usability this checklist has been split into two, one to be used for Homebuy schemes and one for Rent, Sale and MRMW schemes. The Right to Acquire and Voluntary Purchase Grant checklists are issued for the first time.

The main change with regard to the checklists is that it is now required that they are returned electronically to the HC Lead Auditor at the relevant field office; these forms will be uploaded in the internal Compliance Audit System to facilitate the recording of audits carried out on Partnering Programme schemes.

January 2006

The January 2006 Capital Funding Guide, KWL chapter has been replaced with version 2 to reflect a correction to clause 3(16)(d) and clause 3(18)(d) of the house and flat lease (respectively) to reflect the changed clawback provision from 2 to 5 years, together with a revision to KWL-3 paragraph 14.

The opportunity has also been taken to update the London Challenge Key Teacher points details within Annex B: with a new entry in respect of Teaching & Learning Responsibilities points and Challenging schools points being renamed as Working in Schools with high levels of Free School Meals.

In many instances throughout this guide it requires RSLs to contact their local Corporation office for further guidance or approval on investment matters. Unless specified otherwise RSLs should initially contact their local Investment Officer. Various entries have been amended accordingly.

SALE

The current rules prohibit applicants who have existing properties unless they are nominated by the Local Authority and sell their existing home at the same time as applying for Shared Ownership. In exceptional cases the Corporation is prepared to waive this rule where an applicant is prevented from accessing or selling their existing property. RSLs are required to contact their local Corporation Investment Officer. SALE-1, para 2.1, is amended accordingly.

Revised model Shared Ownership Leases are now available as Annexes to this chapter. There are a number of revisions to SALE-9 reflecting the changes and RSLs are strongly encouraged to read this section. The main changes relate to a new fundamental clause of Right of First Refusal/Pre-emption, and new restrictions which need to be registered with Land Registry.

Stamp Duty Land Tax may be payable on the rental element of Shared Ownership schemes. Guidance at SALE-9 para 2.9 etc has been updated together with details of a SDLT Enquiry Line which can calculate the amount of SDLT payable. RSLs are encouraged to make potential purchasers aware of this service.

HOMEBUY

Transitional arrangements have been introduced for Homebuy applications assessed as eligible and agreed on or after 1st January 2006. New guidance is contained in HOMEBUY-1, Section 4, with subsequent sections being renumbered accordingly. RSLs are advised to amend any publicity material and documentation accordingly.

Following enactment of The Social Landlords (Additional Purposes or Objects) (Amendment) (England) Order 2005, (Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 2863), with effect from November 5th 2005, references to qualifying lenders have been amended. Qualifying lenders are persons authorised under the Finance Services and Markets Act 2000 and given permission to enter into regulated mortgage contracts. Amendments include HOMEBUY-1, section 6 and the standard letters at HOMEBUY-7.

The current rules prohibit applicants who have existing properties unless they are nominated by the Local Authority and sell their existing home at the same time as buying through Homebuy. In exceptional cases the Corporation is prepared to waive this rule where an applicant is prevented from accessing or selling their existing property. RSLs are required to contact their local Corporation's Investment Officer. HOMEBUY-2, para 2.1, bullet point 2 is amended accordingly.

RTA

In the July 2005 version of this guide RTA-1, para 3.2 introduced Statutory Instrument 2005 No.1735 which requires landlords to publish and provide certain information to tenants relating to RTA. This paragraph has now amended to advise RSLs they cannot meet this obligation by issuing the Corporation's information booklet.

KWL

See above Homebuy entry in respect of Qualifying lenders -- KWL-2 para 2.12 has been amended accordingly.

KWL-1, section 14 introduces Cascade Principles -- options for consideration where the up take of New Build units is slow.

Previous KWL-1 section 14 is renumbered as 15.

Police Community Support Officers has been added to the Metropolitan Police list of eligible keyworkers for shared ownership, new build homebuy and intermediate rent only.

Key worker eligibility criteria are revised. In the main Annex B relates to Homebuy with new Annex B(ii) relevant for Shared Ownership and Intermediate Rent.

Clawback provisions in respect of Shared Ownership now apply if key workers leave a qualifying employment within 5 years. KWL-3 section 4 and 14 are amended accordingly.

The Right of First Refusal/Pre emption is now a fundamental clause and KWL-3 para 11.7 is amended to reflect this.

New model house and flat leases are provided at KWL-3, sections 12 and 13.

October 2005

 

REC

• An entry at REC-3 para 8.2 etc details how to recycle grant and equity loan repayments in respect of ADP New Build Homebuy.
  

 

DPF

• DPF-1 para 4 has been amended to reflect the Housing Act 2004 provision that the repayment of RTA or VPG discounts is required if re-sales occur within five years.
  

HOMEBUY

• Guidance on ADP New Build Homebuy has now been added, see HOMEBUY-1 para 1.7, HOMEBUY-3 para 4.5, HOMEBUY-5 para 1.6 and 4.1 etc.
• Owners are now able to utilise a percentage of any increase in the value of their property to increase their borrowing to finance repairs or improvements. HOMEBUY-6 para 1 etc has been revised accordingly.
• When producing publicity material for Homebuy, RSLs are required to make it clear that where it includes examples of loan repayments that they are for illustrative purposes only. The sample legal charge at HOMEBUY-7 and the sample Statement at HOMEBUY-8 para 9.1 have been amended accordingly.
  

RTA

• New RTA-1 para 3.2 advises landlords of the requirement of Statutory Instrument 1735 to provide information to tenants in relation to RTA and its associated costs.
• RTA-4, para 10 etc now provides information relating to the suspension of RTA claims as a result of anti-social behaviour. Other entries have been revised accordingly: RTA-2, para 4.1; RTA-4, para 3.1 and 10.8.
  

KWL

• Police Community Support Officers has been added to Thames Valley and Essex Police as an eligible keyworker.
• Eligibility criteria for British Transport Police has been widened and will now also include Community Support Officers, please refer to Annex B for current details.
  

County Council provision of nursing care

• Some County Councils are to provide nursing care in new facilities, which will be run and managed by the Councils; they will not be hospitals. Nurses directly employed by Local Authorities to provide nursing care at these new facilities can be assisted in the same way as those nurses employed in the National Health Service.

 

August 2005

 

KWL

Eligibility criteria in respect of the Police updated

July 2005

 

General

• GENERAL-1, section 3 contains an updated version of the Corporation's Funding Conditions, reflecting changes to paragraphs 6 (legal interest in a property), 11 (rent levels) and 15 (targets).
• GENERAL-9 paragraph 2.2 has been amended to remove reference to VPG/RTA schemes as these are not part of the Consolidated Report & Auditors Opinion (CRAO). Paragraph 3.1 now includes a list of additional documents required for the Homebuy programme.

Homebuy

• HOMEBUY-3, paragraph 1.2: the property eligibility list of supporting documents for disposal arrangements for a formerly shared home following relationship breakdown now includes both an order sanctioned by a court and a formal written 'separation agreement'.
• HOMEBUY-5 paragraph 4.1 advises that the Homebuy traditional programme is now part of the Compliance Audit programme. This change was originally announced on the Housing Corporation website in August 2004.

RTA

• Form RTA1 (June 2005) can now be downloaded from the Corporation's website.
• RTA-4, Para 12.2 has now been amended to reflect that it is only purchases prior to 18.1.05 that have a 3 year discount repayment period.
• Paragraphs 12.4 to 12.7 have new guidance on use of discretion to waive repayment of discount. Subsequent paragraphs have been renumbered.

KWL

• There is clarification to explain that, when someone accesses keyworker housing and subsequently retires, clawback rules apply unless the retirement date is at least five years after the purchase date. Changes to reflect this appear in KWL-2 paragraph 4.2, in the sample legal charge at paragraph 10.2, in the explanation of terms of the KWL loan agreement at paragraph 10.3, in KWL-3 section 4, in the lease agreements in sections 12-13 and in KWL-4 paragraph 4.2.
• The basic criteria for Local Authority Planners has been clarified, the revision at Annex B now applies.
• Priority should not be given to NHS Dentists over other NHS staff, the HEALTH section of Annex B has been annotated accordingly.
• The Health Protection Agency has been added as an eligible HEALTH employer at Annex B.

 

April 2005

 

Homebuy

• Further guidance and examples are now provided at Homebuy-6 para 2 when RSLs need to seek valuations for the purposes of redeeming Homebuy equity loans.
• A driving licence has been added to the list of documents that an applicant can provide as proof of identity, as detailed in the 'Guidance Notes for Solicitors/Legal Representatives' included at Homebuy- 7.

RTA

• RTA-1, para 2.1 now advises that the RTA forms will be revised to reflect the changes to the scheme resulting from the Housing Act 2004 and will be available shortly. These are not Statutory forms and meanwhile RSLs can produce their own, providing they meet the scheme's legal requirements.
• RTA-3, new para 1.4 advises that where the RTA was lost due to collective enfranchisement, Section 202 of The Housing Act introduces provision for the Right to be preserved.
• RTA-4, para 12.9, the model repayment of discount clause and accompanying notes have been further revised. Para 12.8 now advises RSLs that if they use the model repayment clause they will need to satisfy themselves that it is adequate for their purposes.
• Additions to the Approved Lenders List include: Blemain Finance Limited; Cheshire Mortgage Corporation; London Scottish Finance; Money Partners Limited; Money Partners Finance Limited.

VPG

• Additions to the Approved Lenders list are the same as that for RTA above.
• VPG-4, para 8.1, the repayment of discount clause and accompanying notes have been further revised, and now advises RSLs that when using the repayment clause they will need to satisfy themselves that it is adequate for their purposes.

PP

• The self-Assesment Procedural Compliance Checklist has beeen revised and RSLs should read PP-4 in association with the revised Appendix 4.

KWL

• With effect from 1st October 2005 dental practices offering a service for the NHS will be required to do so under a contract. Where a contract exists the NHS will award such practices with NHS Body Status and they will then come within the remit of KWL.
• NHS Diagnostic microbiologists and rehabilitation engineers are now eligible client groups.
• The length of service criteria for Kent Police Officers is now amended from completion of one years training to 32 weeks of training/service.
• From April 1 2005 Health Care Assistants working within the fields of either Cancer or Diagnostics services will be eligible.
• From 05/06 Head Teachers and Teach First Graduates are included in the London Challenge Key Teacher Homebuy programme, there is also a change to the points available for Challenging schools (free school meals).

January 2005

• Please note that where this Guide refers to the Corporation's Publications Department, future contact should be made by email to enquiries@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk.
• A new entry added at General-6, para 4.3 explains that in support of the Eco-homes/green agenda RSLs are to be encouraged to consider new and innovative measures relating to energy efficiency, and to this end Clear Skies Grant funding is to be treated as non-deductible public subsidy.
• General-7, previously entitled Building Licences now amended to Building Agreements, has been revised and extended to inform RSLs that as part of any building agreement, there must also be a legally binding agreement for the freehold or leasehold of the property to transfer to the RSL.
• The entry relating to Purchase Option agreements at General-8, para 2 has been amended and relocated to General-1, para 7.13, which now contains reference to the model "Development and Sales Agreement relating to Social Housing Grant agency schemes for BME RSLs with options to purchase".
• A definition of Lead RSL has been added to the Glossary.
• The Housing Act 2004 makes provision for the Rent Surplus Fund to be abolished, and with effect from January 18th 2005 the RSF ceases to be a statutory requirement. The Corporation's Regulation Division will shortly be issuing a circular advising RSLs how to treat existing balances. The RSF chapter has therefore been removed.
• References to building licences @ TSH-4, para 2 etc have been amended to read agreements.
• SALE-9 para 4.1 has been expanded and new para 4.2 added to clarify the position in respect of rural re-purchase and staircasing provisions.
• A paragraph has been added to SALE-12 advising that RCGF may be used for flexible tenure in cases of mortgage difficulties, and refers users to REC-5.
• The entry at HOMEBUY-1, para 3.4 advising that the repayment of equity loans should be recycled through an RSL's Recycled Capital Grant Fund now refers users to REC-3, para 8.1.
• For clarification HOMEBUY-2, para 2.1, bullet point 2 now refers to HOMEBUY-3, para 1.2, bullet point 3.
• The entry at HOMEBUY-3, para 1.1, final bullet point has been amended to raise the mortgage retention figure to £5,000.
• The Housing Act 2004 has resulted in a number of changes to the RTA scheme:
• For new tenancies created on or after 18.1.2005 the qualifying period will be five years (RTA-2, para 1);
• Some properties due for demolition will be classified as excluded properties (RTA-3, paras 2 & 3) RSLs will be required to issue demolition 'notices' (RTA-3 para 3);
• Completion notices in respect of applications made on or after 18.1.2005 are now to be issued after 3 months (RTA-4, para 10);
• For applications made on or after 18.1.2005 the discount repayment period is extended to five years, and will be value based (RTA-4 para 12);
• Increased values due to improvements will be disregarded when repaying discounts (RTA-4, para 12);
• Deferred ReSale agreements will no longer exempt the discount repayment (RTA-4, para 12);
• The Right of First Refusal is introduced (RTA-4, para 13).
• Revised contact details for the National Housing Federation's publications unit are now provided at RTA-1, para 1.7, should RSLs wish to purchase the NHF's plain English model lease.
• Clarification is now provided at RTA-4, para 5.1 that RSLs may use qualified independent valuers when establishing a property's purchase price, and at 5.4 that valuation fees should not be charged to RTA applicants.
• The Housing Act 2004 has resulted in a number of changes to the VPG scheme:
• For properties where an applications is made on or after 18.1.2005 the discount repayment period is extended to five years, and will be value based (VPG-4 para 7);
• Increased values due to improvements will be disregarded when repaying discounts (VPG-4, para 7);
• Deferred ReSale agreements will no longer exempt the discount repayment (VPG-4, para 7);
• The Right of First Refusal is introduced (VPG-4, para 9).
• PP-2, section 1 has been revised to include details relating to Lead RSLs and their responsibilities, and clarifies that under the PPA route the partnership agrees to provide a programme of schemes, as detailed within Annex A of the PPA, for a set amount of SHG.
• Thames Valley Police has added further civilian posts to its key worker eligibility criteria, and now include Operators, Team Leaders and Bureau Supervisors working in either the Police National Computer, Phoenix or Disclosure Bureaus. KWL Annex B provides full details.
• KWL-2 para 2.12 in respect of qualifying lending institutions now refers to further information as provided at HOMEBUY-1 para 5.1-5.4.

 

November 2004

 

Homebuy and Key Worker Living

• The list of eligible properties for both traditional and Key Worker Living Homebuy has been expanded and now includes:
• A home the applicant is currently renting from a private landlord provided it is self-contained and the landlord is not resident;
• A property owned or part-owned by a family member (except spouse/ partner) or business associate provided an independent valuation is obtained from a RICS surveyor appointed by the RSL;
• An estranged spouse or partner's share in a formerly shared home can be bought out following a relationship breakdown where the disposal is required/supported by a court order or legal settlement after a court order;
• A 'second' property can be purchased even though the applicant has an on-going interest in a 'marital home' but only in circumstances where the property cannot be sold because the estranged spouse/partner is allowed by the court to remain there whilst bringing up dependent children.
• The KWL chapter now provides guidance on portability, like for like properties and sub-letting.
• Guidance in respect of further borrowing at Homebuy 6 has been clarified.

 

October 8 2004

• The Key Worker Living chapter (KWL.pdf) has been revised to update the Key Worker Shared Ownership Flat lease.

October 1 2004

 

Key Worker Living Programme

• The Shared Ownership and Intermediate Rent sections of this chapter are now available. Also included are samples of both house and flat leases for use with the keyworker living programme. Please note these leases do not apply to traditional shared ownership programmes.
• Paragraph 9.2 of KWL-2 has been corrected to show that the Corporation is not expecting to recover Homebuy surpluses from the 2004/5 and 2005/6 programmes.

General

• GENERAL-1 para 5.10 has been expanded to include reference to the Corporation's new Regeneration policy.

Transfer of Properties

• The procedures governing the transfer of properties have been revised together with revisions to form TOP1, now known as TOP1 (R). Details can be found in GENERAL-3, paragraphs 10.3 etc.

Scheme Processing

• Section 2 of the General Chapter relating to scheme processing is still under consideration. Meanwhile associations should direct any questions to the Programme Manager at the Corporation's office at Maple House.

Sale

• SALE-9 has been updated to provide clarification in respect Stamp Duty Land Tax.

Homebuy

• Following the revised definition of qualifying lending institutions contained in the July 04 version of the guide, a number of the sample letters at HOMBUY-7 have been updated to reflect the new definition.

VPG

• VPG-5 now explains that RSLs should submit their claims within 6 months of the date the property is sold.

RTA

• RTA-4, para 11.1 now explains that RSLs should submit their claims within 6 months of the date the property is sold.

Repair

• DEN3 applications are now extremely rare, if not non-existent, and the reference at REPAIR-2 paragraph 5.15 has been removed. Users should refer to previous versions of the guide for information.

Partnering Programme

• PP-3 paragraph 1.2 now includes an explanation regarding Other Public Subsidy in relation to scheme processing.

 

July 2004

• Key worker living programme: In line with the ODPM's new Key Worker Living Campaign (launched on 24 March) the Corporation has allocated £667 million over the next two years towards homes for public sector employees. This new key worker programme started on April 1 2004. As well as Homebuy and Shared Ownership, Intermediate Rent and London Key Teacher Challenge is available. General information and procedures related to these programmes can be found in a new chapter entitled Key Worker Living Programme. Detailed information on the individual schemes is yet to be published.
• Stock transfers from public bodies: GENERAL-3, Section 6 has been updated and now incorporates details from Circular 13/97.
• Approved Lenders: First National Home Finance Limited has been added to the Approved Lenders list.
• Housing Ombudsman Service: Following the change of name to the above, references to the Housing Ombudsman Service have been amended accordingly.
• Money Laundering Regulations 2003: The above Regulations were laid before Parliament on 28th November 2003. GENERAL-1, para 12 explains that it is unlikely that RSLs would be considered as high value dealers for low cost home ownership activity, but suggests they satisfy themselves that they meet any requirements of the Regulations.
• Grant Recovery: Details of where to find the latest "Administration allowance" deductible expense for calculating Disposal Proceeds Funds contributions, have been included.
• Good Title: An explanation of what demonstrates "good title" has now been added at GENERAL-10.
• Sale: Following agreement to a Home Ownership Task Force recommendation, future shared owners should be offered the option to purchase further shares in 10% tranches. Forthwith Shared Ownership leases should include this option. There will no longer be a requirement for future shared owners to achieve outright ownership within four stages.
• Managing Agents: The reference in GENERAL-8 to guidance elsewhere on managing agents has been updated, and there is an additional reference to a new model development and sales agreement relating to Social Housing Grant agency schemes for BME Housing Associations with option to purchase.
• Homebuy:HOMEBUY-1, section 5 relating to qualifying lending institutions has been updated to reflect the current legal requirements.
• The Corporation has published its Regeneration Policy and Regeneration Strategy consultation document.  

April 26 2004

Following receipt and consideration of comments on the draft Partnering Programme Agreement (PPA), the final PPA is now available. The changes are:

• a statement that intermediate market rent levels are not expected to exceed 80% of the market rent for an area; and
• the section on employer contributions (key worker living) has been revised to state that the contributions will be collected by ODPM and placed in a central fund and that there will be no facilities in IMS to identify the contributions.

There is also a revised self-assessment procedural compliance checklist in Appendix 4. A variety of changes have been made to the original checklist including additions and deletions of questions.

 

April 13 2004

• For the 2004/05-2005/06 programme, 80% of resources have been allocated to 71 housing associations or groups under this route. A new chapter entitled Partnering Programme Approach is contained within the revised guide.
• Information and procedures related to the new Intermediate Rent and London Key Teacher Challenge programmes will be in a new chapter entitled "Key worker living programme", which is still in preparation.
• Section 2 of the GENERAL Chapter relating to scheme processing is currently being rewritten. Meanwhile associations should direct any questions to the Programme Manager at the Corporation's office at Maple House, telephone 020 7393 2182.With effect from April 2004 the minimum cost limit of £500 for Aids and Adaptations has been abolished. Housing associations should now refer to the Corporation's Regional Housing Programme for guidance.
• Repair: With effect from April 2004 the minimum cost limit of £500 for Aids and Adaptations has been abolished. Housing associations should now refer to the Corporation's Regional Housing Programme for guidance.
• Homebuy: Total Cost Indicator rates for Homebuy have been abolished with effect from April 2004. Several of the sections within this chapter have been amended accordingly, including the sample documents in section 7. Homebuy, Section 8, subsection 1 has been expanded to clarify issues in respect of applications for a Consumer Credit Licence, which housing associations need to provide equity loans (e.g. what to do when the licence expires or if there is a change to license details). Clarification relating to the maximum mortgage (in terms of % of equity) that can be applied for, has been provided.
• A new section ,"After Sales", has been added to the SALE chapter. It provides information relating to Interim Charging Orders.
• Following the introduction of Land Registration Rules 2003, housing associations should read SALE-9, para 1.7.
• Grant Recovery: A number of changes have been made to the procedures relating to the completion and submission of Recycled Capital Grant Fund returns. Of particular note will be changes to subsections 10, 11 and 12 of REC-4, and the policy change relating to Market Renewal Area Pathfinders, which extends the recycling period from 3 to 5 years.
• Right to Acquire: The section that sets out the exclusions to RTA (RTA 2, Para 4.1) has been clarified to explain what an arrangement with creditors means. A paragraph has been added making clear that housing associations cannot make retrospective applications for RTA or Voluntary Purchase Grant that may have been overlooked.
• Compliance Audit: GENERAL-9 contains amendments in relation to the new Partner Programme Agreements and the Key worker living programme.
• Management Arrangements: Most of GENERAL-8 was previously advice on the content of management agreements and procedures for operating them. The prime source on this subject is a Regulation interim guidance note ("Housing associations and managing agents: Interim guidance on monitoring" (July 2003)) so a reference to that replaces those details. New material includes a reference to the Brent Protocol and advice on dealing with loss or threatened loss of revenue funding for supported housing schemes.

January 2004

• Local Authority social Housing Grant (LASHG) and Local Authority Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership (LADIYSO) were abolished with effect from April 2003 and those chapters have now been removed. For information relating to LASHG and LADIYSO please refer to previous versions of the guide
• Following the transfer of the Corporation's Supported Housing Management Grant to the Local Authority Supporting People Pot with effect from April 2003, various references throughout all chapters of the Guide have been amended to reflect this accordingly
• Scheme processing has changed and the current guidance is now obsolete and has been removed. Section 2 of the General chapter is currently in the process of being re-written and details will be provided as soon as possible
• We now recommend that users refer to the wide range of free public notices on various aspects of VAT and the network of local VAT Business Advice Centres that are available to traders and public
• Changes to the Signboard circular have been incorporated
• References to turnaround times have been amended to reflect the current Service Standards
• Golden Brick procedures have been incorporated
• With effect from July 2003 receipt of Housing Benefit no longer precludes people from applying for Homebuy
• Social Housing Grant (Capital) General Determination 2003 has replaced the 2002 version with effect from 4th April 2003
• Recovery of Capital Grants Determination 2003 has now been included as Appendix 1 to the section on Capital Grant recycling and recovery (REC)
• Approved Lenders list for Right To Acquire and Voluntary Purchase Grant has been updated
• New helpdesk number for IMS users
• Other minor amendments to expand and clarify the guidance have also been incorporated.

April 2003

• New chapter to cover Challenge Fund schemes
• 2003/2004 Funding Conditions added to GENERAL-1

 

 

October 2002

• New signboard requirements F2 10/02
• Turnaround times updated - new Corporation Service Standards
• References to DTLR changed to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
• 'Quality' aspects of Scheme Development Standards not mandatory for Sales schemes therefore waivers are not required

 

 

July 2002

• Joint Funding Agreements: paper documents no longer required - details recorded on IMS
• Learning Disability Enabling Fund added to the list of deductible other public subsidies
• Terminations of schemes at Final Cost where changes are not acceptable