Grant Assisted Housing at Little Ballinluig

RHOGs may help those who live locally and wish to own a home may be helped by RHOGs if they are of low or modest income. The grant is means tested by taking account of applicants’ income and savings.
The grant pays part of the cost involved in helping to acquire a property and it will normally not exceed 33 per cent of the approved total costs (which includes the house purchase price and legal and surveyors fees).

Eligibility Categories
A priority purchase scheme will be operated for the purchase of these houses in 4 categories.
Category 1 – Tenants & Waiting List Applicants
This category includes tenants of Perth & Kinross Council or local Housing Associations or local people on Perth & Kinross Council or local Housing Association housing waiting list who have been on same for 6 months prior to the start of the first marketing period and who have a joint household income of no more than £30,000 and who have never owned a home before.
Category 2 – Existing Residents in Rented or Tied Accommodation in Highland Perthshire
This category includes local people who are tenants of private landlords, those living in tied accommodation, caravans, shared accommodation who have lived in this accommodation for more than 6 months and who have a joint income of no more than £30,000 and who have never owned a home before.
Category 3 – Tenants & Waiting List Applicants and Existing Residents in Rented or Tied Accommodation in Highland Perthshire
This category includes those in Categories 1 & 2 above but with a joint household income of no more than £35,000 and who have never owned a home before.
Category 4 – People with a Local Connection
This category includes local people who have resided in the area for more than one year and can demonstrate throughout that period a local or family connection, who have a joint household income of no more than £35,000 in housing need.

Marketing Periods
Initial Period – Priority Category 1
For a period of 56 days from the date of 15 March 2005, the properties will be available only to those listed in Priority Category 1. Whilst this qualifying period has now passed, those who qualify for this category can still apply - and will still be considered for - the properties.
Second Period – Priority Categories 1 & 2
For a period of 56 days from the end of the initial period, the properties will be available only to those listed in Priority Categories 1 & 2.
Third Period – Priority Categories 1, 2 & 3
For a period of 56 days from the end of the second period, the properties will be available only to those listed in Priority Categories 1, 2 & 3.
Fourth Period – Priority Categories 1,2, 3 & 4
From the end of the third period, the properties will be available only to those listed in Priority Categories 1 to 4.

Grant Conditions
Rural Home Ownership (RHOG) may be available from Communities Scotland:
• If you are employed or have received a formal offer of employment in the area.
• To pensioners and those who are unfit for work due to sickness or disability who may qualify if they have resided in the local area for more than one year, have a family or local connection and can meet the majority of the costs involved.
• If your total household income is insufficient to purchase a suitable property without grant assistance.
• Only where all other sources of funding and grants have been explored and fully taken up.

Example
If you qualify for a two bedroom house costing £105,000 and can afford a mortgage of £70,000 and have savings of £15,000 (of which the first £5,000 is retained) giving a net contribution of £10,000, then your total input will be £80,00, you may be eligible for a RHOG of £25,000.
An RHOG 1 Application Form must be fully completed and returned to Communities Scotland for a decision in principle. This will be made within 6 weeks about whether or not a grant will be awarded and the likely amount of grant likely to be offered.
On receipt of this in-principle letter, applicants can then enter into a formal missive to purchase a particular house from Kepranich Developments Limited.
Thereafter, a RHOG2 Application Form will be required to be completed for approval. A formal Offer of Grant will be made within 6 weeks.

Next Steps
Anyone interested in a property should contact Justin Rawson of Kepranich Developments (0795 2970388) for an introduction into the housing opportunities, the property details and the cost.
Kepranich Developments Ltd, Box No 7, Keepsafe Storage Centres, Office 5, Friarton House, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8BB. jrrawson@ruralrelocation.com
Contact a financial advisor or mortgage lender to identify availability and likely level of mortgage finance available. George Stubbs Financial Services (01738 57157) are familiar with this project, and offer financial advice to prospective purchasers.
3. Contact Communities Scotland (01382 427500) to obtain an RHOG 1 Outline Application .
4. Complete RHOG1 Outline Application and return to Communities Scotland for a decision in principle.
5. If successful, within 6 weeks of receipt, an in-principle letter will be sent to you from Communities Scotland advising you of the grant amount.
6. Agree final mortgage.
7. Enter into formal missive to purchase a specific dwelling from Kepranich Developments Limited.
8. Complete RHOG 2 Application Form and when fully complete return to Communities Scotland.
9. Formal Offer of Grant received from Communities Scotland within 6 weeks of receipt.
10. On agreed date of settlement, the RHOG grant will be sent by Communities Scotland direct to your Solicitor.