Decision details

Resolved that:

the proposed amendments to the scheme, as set out in paragraph 9 of the report and as follows be approved:

9.1   the maximum Equity Loan value is increased to £30,000 from £20,000. Currently the average loan is for £12,251 however loans have only been approved to support an applicant in achieving the minimum deposit. (Refer to 9.3)

9.2   the maximum property purchase price is reviewed as house prices within West Berkshire have significantly increased since the scheme was launched in 2010. The average house price in West Berkshire in 2010 was £227,219 and is now £271,179 this represents 19.34% increase. [Land Registry Data]

Recommend maximum property prices:

• £215,000 for a 1 bed property
• £275,000 for a 2 bed property
• £300,000 for a 3 bed + property

9.3   Feedback from the Newbury Building Society is that a number of applicants have been refused an Equity Loan by the Council and in consequence have been unable to access home ownership.  These applicants have met the eligibility criteria however they have a shortfall between the maximum mortgage available to them (4 times their annual salary) and the property value. To ensure these applicants are able to access Home Ownership it is proposed that ‘First Step – Next Step’ is extended to include bridging the gap between an applicant’s maximum mortgage and the property value up to the maximum loan amount.

In cases where an applicant uses the Equity Loan to bridge the gap there would be an expectation that the household was accessing accommodation suitable for their households needs as opposed to accessing accommodation with an additional bedroom.

9.4  the maximum borrowing amount for 3.75 times to 4 times of an applicants annual salary, this will be in line with products offered via the Newbury Building Society.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 21 January 2016, then it will be implemented.