IWILL (Improvement Works in Lieu of Local Authority Housing) scheme
What is the IWILL scheme?
The IWILL (Improvement Works in Lieu of Local Authority housing) scheme enables local authorities to improve or extend privately owned houses as an alternative to providing local authority housing. The IWILL Scheme is available to persons, who are in need of Local Authority housing, to improve their own dwelling where certain reconstruction works would remove the need for the Local Authority to provide a dwelling. Monies advanced become a charge on that property for a maximum of 15 years.
The scheme is aimed at:
- Owner-occupiers whose homes are overcrowded or sub-standard and who cannot afford to carry out improvements
- Local authority tenants or tenant purchasers or housing association tenants who want to move into a home owned by a relative but cannot because the home is sub-standard or too small
Eligibility
To qualify you must be:
- Registered on the local authority housing waiting list
or - A local authority tenant or a tenant purchaser and you want to buy a private house and return your present house to the local authority
or - A tenant for more than one year of a home provided by a housing association under the Rental Subsidy Scheme and you want to buy a private house and return your present house to the local authority
Application form
To view and print PDF files, a viewer program called Acrobat Reader is required. A free copy of this Adobe Reader can be downloaded from the Adobe website
Frequently asked questions
- How does the Council decide on applications?
Clare County Council will take into account the urgency of your housing needs and the cost-effectiveness of the proposal when deciding whether to improve your house or your relative's house. - Can I sell my house?
You can sell the house at any time. However, if you do so during the 15 year period of charges or before your total payments equal the cost of the works, you will have to make a repayment to the authority. - What happens when I qualify?
If you qualify for the scheme:- The local authority will carry out works to get rid of defects in the home or to provide extra bedrooms
- The local authority will pay the full costs of the works carried out and you will then pay a charge to the local authority for a maximum of 15 years
- If during the 15 year period, you have paid an amount equal to the total cost of the works, the charge will stop
- The charge will be worked out in a similar way to the differential rent scheme
Page last updated: 26/01/09