Property
New arrangements
The Secretary of State’s announcement on HS2 detailed a new package of compensation measures to help those affected by the scheme. There will be a consultation on compensation measures in the spring this year. The new package of measures is then expected to be in place in autumn 2012, including:
• the introduction of a streamlined purchase scheme to simplify the statutory blight process for property owners
• a sale and rent back scheme to give homeowners in the safeguarded areas more flexibility
• the introduction of a streamlined small claims scheme for construction damage which will allow individuals and businesses who are entitled to compensation under existing law to claim it more quickly and simply
• a package of measures to reinforce confidence in properties above tunnels
• a refreshed hardship scheme
Further information on this can be found in the Review of Property Issues document published January 2012 and available on the Department for Transport website.
Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS)
This scheme is currently available to property owners who have an urgent need to sell but have not been able to, except at a substantially reduced price, as a direct result of the announcement of the route.
Property owners who apply and meet the eligibility criteria can have their property purchased by the Government at its unaffected realistic open market value (the value the property would have had in the current housing market, if the High Speed Rail route had not been announced).
More information on the qualifying criteria and how to apply is available in the Application and Guidance Form
Applicants do not need to find or pay for experts to help them complete their application form. We have designed the application process to be straightforward. But if you do have any questions about it, please call our enquiry team on 020 7944 4908.
Received EHS applications analysis
| To date |
1 February 2012 |
| Number of applications received |
318 |
| Number of applications which are reapplications |
67 |
| Number of applications withdrawn by the applicants |
8 |
| Average time in weeks for a decision under the final panel (excluding waiting time for additional documentation requested by the Secretariat) |
7.3 |
| Number of applications accepted under the EHS |
60 |
| Number of applications rejected under the EHS |
221 |
| Number of applications pending a decision |
29 |
| Number of formal offers accepted by applicants |
51 |
| Number of purchases which have completed |
45 |
| Number of properties rented out |
30 |
| Total value of those properties where the purchase is completed |
£25,505,850 |
Related documents
Application Form and Guidance - EHS - Updated - 20/02/2012
Complaints Procedure - EHS - 16/11/2011
Panel Members - EHS - 09/03/2011