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3.10 Relief recipient no longer in occupation.
Where an applicant in receipt of relief ceases to occupy the house, the relief continues during the life of the current certificate.
On receipt of a fresh application at the expiration of the current certificate, investigation of the reasons for non-occupancy will be necessary.
There would be circumstances for example, where it may not be possible for the applicant to be in occupation, but where it would be appropriate for DSH to continue relief. Two examples are:-
- where the person has been admitted to a nursing home but cannot afford to pay for repairs, rates, instalments etc on the DSH property, due to the fees payable to the nursing home. Assuming the home remained untenanted in anticipation of the applicant returning on possible discharge from the nursing home, it would be reasonable to continue relief.
and
- where the person's house is in such a bad state of repair that it is dangerous for him/her to remain in the property. As the person may be required to pay rent in the alternative accommodation, it would be appropriate for DSH to provide relief in relation to the DSH house, until it is repaired.
While the intention is that the applicant be in occupation of the DSH house, delegates have a discretion to make decisions based on the merits of each particular case.