If you have owned your home for more than three years and you have less than £20,000 in savings, you may qualify for a repair grant or loan to help with work such as:
- re-wiring
- re-roofing
- windows and doors
- kitchen or bathroom improvements
Work must relate to the property itself, and not to fences or outbuildings.
We may prioritise work that meets fitness standards, and if demand is high we may have to prioritise work we can help with.
Repair grants
You may be eligible for up to £5,000 as a grant secured on your property.
Repair grants are fully means tested, and you may have to make a contribution to the cost of the work.
You can only apply for one repair grant in any five-year period.
Repair loans
Up to £20,000 is available where a repair grant is insufficient to meet the costs of all the works.
Loans are interest-free and fully means tested, and you may have to make a contribution to the cost of the work.
You must be aged 18 years or over to apply.
How can I apply?
To apply, please complete a preliminary enquiry form. Please note that this is not a formal application and is only used to assess your eligibility.
If you do not want to fill in the form online, you can download a printable version of the enquiry form and return it to us by post.
We will write to you within 14 days to let you know if you are likely to qualify for funding. We will then arrange to visit you to complete a formal application for funding where you will be required to provide confirmation of your income and savings.
During our visit a member of our Housing Standards team will assess your home for eligible repairs.
Will I have to repay the money?
Repair grants and loans are registered as a charge on your property.
The grant amount is repayable only if you dispose of your home within 12 years. The loan amount is repayable only when you dispose of your home.
In some circumstances grants and loans are not repayable when the property is sold, for example if the property is sold to allow the home-owner to move to a care home.
You will not be asked to make any repayment prior to the disposal of the property unless there is a major change in your circumstances.