• FYNE FIRST:
  Shared Equity
• The Old Courthouse
• Tigh Na Cladach
• Lochgilphead Old
  High School Site
• Registration
• RHOGs

Q - How Might I benefit from a RHOG?
These grants may help if you live in a rural area and wish to own your own home. The grant pays part of the costs involved in helping you acquire a site and build your own home or assist in acquiring a property from the open market.

Q - What type of costs are covered?
The following are examples that can be covered by RHOG: Acquiring a site Construction Building Warrant / Planning Application Legal Fees / Consultant Fees

Q - Where are they available?
RHOGs are available in rural areas where the population is less than 3,000 or the nearest town with a population of over 3,000 is more than 5 miles away.

Q - Grant Availability
Grants are available : If you are employed or have received a formal offer of employment in the local area where you want to set up home; To pensioners and to 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 a 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. Grants are not Available: If you are eligible for a Crofters Building Grant If you already benefit from another form of grant from the grant provider; If you intend buying a property built by a developer who has already received a grant from the grant provider towards the cost of providing that property.

Q - How do I know if I’m eligible?
Grants are aimed at local people in employment who are first time buyers. If you have previously owned your own home you may still be eligible if you meet other qualifying criteria. However, any capital gain from the sale of previous property will be taken into account when deciding whether you are eligible. Other conditions of grant As a safe guard the grant provider will require standard security over the property. If mortgage finance is being used the security will be second ranking to that of the bank or building society.

Q - How do I apply?
The grant provider via it’s agent, Fyne Initiatives, needs to know details of income, the amount of mortgage and any other sources of funding that may be available. A full estimate of construction or improvement costs should be obtained and an estimate of the value of the site or property will also be required. Once all the details required are fully completed and submitted to Fyne Initiatives, a decision in principle will be made within six weeks as to whether a grant will be awarded and the amount of grant likely to be offered. This will be outlined in a letter to you.

Q - What happens next?
If your outline application is approved you will be asked to complete a second, more detailed application form. You will also be asked for details of exact costs and fees, competitive quotes for the building work and you will be asked to provide detailed design specifications. Fyne Initiatives will assess applications within six weeks of receiving a completed application and If this is approved a formal offer of grant will be made. You must obtain the grant provider’s approval before acquiring any site or property. Any acquisition or spend undertaken prior to the grant provider’s approval is at the applicant’s own risk.

Additonal Information
The grant will be paid on completion of the project
If you sell the property within 10 years then the total amount of grant must be repaid—your legal adviser will be able to explain this.