Background and Overview Part 6 – Grants for Improvement, Repairs Etc. Section 96: Extension of power to make improvement grants
146.This section amends section 236 (power of local authorities to make improvement grants) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.
147.Subsection (1)extends the works eligible for grant to include the provision of heating systems and insulation, replacement of unsafe electrical wiring and installation of mains-powered smoke detectors. Subsection (2)details more works in buildings in common ownership that may be eligible for grant. Subsection (3) amends the definition of a disabled person to bring it into line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
148.Subsection (4)inserts a new section in the 1987 Act to the effect that, where improvement grant is applied for by a tenant, that tenant must have had responsibility for the works in respect of which grant is sought for 2 years previous to application. The new subsection also sets out the terms under which the Scottish Ministers are entitled to vary, by order, the works and cases eligible for grant.