asked the Minister for Local Government what conditions are laid down by his Department to cover the purchase of old houses with the aid of loans from the local authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loans for Purchase of Old Houses.
53.
Housing authorities were advised by Circular Letter of 18th August, 1958, following enactment of the Housing (Amendment) Act, 1958, that issues from the Local Loans Fund would be available for the making of advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts for the purchase of previously occupied houses on the same basis as advances for the provision of new houses, i.e., the persons eligible would be (a) farmers, the rateable valuation of whose holdings does not exceed £50; (b) other persons whose income does not exceed £832 a year and (c) tenants of local authority dwellings, without limit of income who surrender their tenancies on providing their own houses. Individual advances in respect of previously occupied houses must not exceed 85% of market value, the definition of which was revised by section 30 of the Act of 1958. Housing authorities were advised further that advances should not be made in respect of houses the price of which is considered by the housing authority to be unduly high, having regard to the classes of persons eligible for the advances.
Does that mean in effect that loans up to the same period as the normal S.D.A. loans for new houses and at the same rates of interest would be available to people purchasing previously occupied houses?
The Deputy will appreciate that generally the actual terms for any such scheme would, in the first instance, be made by the local authority administering the scheme. But the money from the Local Loans Fund is available under the terms I have outlined in my reply. As to the actual detailed application of that situation in any particular authority, I would need some notice to give a full reply.
Would the Minister say, without going into too great detail, if loans up to a term of 35 years are available for these purposes?
I am afraid I cannot give that information to the Deputy now, but I shall check on it and give it to him.