Service 138: Home improvements - housing renovation grant for a private property

Self Service Content

Housing

Improvements, Repairs and Regenerationemail address here phone number here sms phone number here fax number here minicom number here

A Renovation Grant is a discretionary grant which is available where larger scale works are required to make a house fit for habitation or to put a dwelling into reasonable repair.

The type of work that might qualify for grant aid is work to remedy instability, serious disrepair, severe dampness and to provide adequate heating, lighting and ventilation, adequate water supplies, cooking and food preparation facilities, a suitable WC, bath or shower and wash basin and adequate drainage

Who can apply?

Applicants must be over 18 and be in receipt of an income related benefit or tax credit to apply for a Renovation Grant. However, applicants aged over 60 or who are disabled or infirm and who are applying for grant to carry out adaptation works do not have to be receipt of benefit or tax credits.

The applicant must have been an owner-occupier or occupying tenant for 3 years or more on the date of the application.

First time buyers buying a property for less than £35,000 which is unfit do not have to fulfil the 3-year occupancy rule.

All applicants including joint property owners will be subject to a test of resources that calculates the financial contribution they will be required to make towards the eligible costs of the works required.

You should not assume that you will automatically qualify for a grant, as they are means tested.

How much is the grant?

The maximum assistance available is £20,000 for unfit properties in Council Tax band A or B and £10,000 for unfit properties in Council Tax band C or above.

If the costs of the eligible works are less than the applicant's calculated contribution no grant will be paid. If the cost of the work exceeds the maximum grant payable the applicant must pay the balance.

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Providing Information (138)

Mediated Service Content

ServiceDescription

House renovation grants allow money to be made available if:

the applicant's home is deemed unfit to live in, or
the owner/occupier cannot afford to pay for essential repairs such as:

structural instability
serious disrepair
dampness that affects health
missing amenities
no suitably located toilet for exclusive use of applicant's household
no suitably located bath/shower or wash hand basin or sink with hot and cold water

ServiceEligibility

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants applying for grant assistance must be:

aged over 18 years
a UK citizen or ordinary resident in the UK not subject to immigration control
in possession of a UK National Insurance Number
in receipt of an income related benefit or tax credits
the owner/occupier for at least the last three years prior to the date of the application
freeholders or leaseholders of the property concerned

Some local authorities may stipulate that renovation grants are only available to applicants whose property is 10 years old or more and who have owned/resided in the property for a minimum of three years prior to application.

The amount of grant which the applicant receives will be decided on a means tested basis. This looks at the income and capital of the applicant and their spouse or partner. The test calculates the average weekly income and savings. This is then set against an assessment of basic needs, which are recognised by a range of premiums and allowances.

Any ex/separated spouses/partners who still have an owner's interest in the property have to give their written consent to any grant application.

Contributions:

if the applicant’s incomes and savings are less than the assessment then they will not normally need to contribute to the cost of the works
if the applicant’s income and savings are more than the assessment then a proportion of the income will be used to calculate the size of the contribution that applicant can afford

Evidence Required

An applicant's income is taken into account when determining whether council assistance is appropriate. Those applicants on low income will need to provide proof of income.

The following proof must be provided:

certificate of future occupation
two estimates from VAT registered contractors
building regulations and planning permission if required
authorisation of payment certificate if making contribution
owners or tenant certificates, for example title deeds
proof of income and savings
proof of residency for the last three years

The following will not be acceptable:

An invoice is not acceptable if the work has been carried out by the applicant or member of the family. In these cases only invoice for materials will be acceptable if the grant is approved

Restrictions

Important things to note:

grants are only made available to applicants who are freeholders or leaseholders of the property concerned
applicants may not get any grant if they start any renovation work before the council has approved the application
renovation grants will not be approved retrospectively, such as, for works that have already begun or been completed
the grant given will be registered on the local land charges for five years and the whole grant will be repayable if the property is sold within that period
once the grant has been approved the applicant must use one of the two contractors to carry out the work, otherwise the council will not pay out the grant

Exemptions

The following exemptions apply:

applicants who are 60 years and over or who are disabled or infirm and who are applying for a grant to carry out adaptation works do not have to be in receipt of benefit or tax credits
first time buyers buying a property for less than £35,000 which is 'unfit to live in' are exempt from the three-year occupancy requirement

ApplicationProcess

Application Form Handling Guidance

Description: Form to be received, no payment, no document check

Form Interactions: Providing the form to the customer

provide the customer with the form required if they wish to complete it
inform them that they can complete it now, or take it away with them
explain that the application will be dated from when the council receives the form

Help in completing the form

explain that help can be provided in completing the form
if for any reason the customer cannot complete the form and requires assistance, you may help them complete it
but ensure that you record that you assisted the customer and ensure that the customer signs the form, if a signature is required

Checking the form

make sure that all of the required information has been recorded on the form
make sure the information is complete and legible and in black ink if the form will need to be photocopied
make sure the form is signed and dated and that the date shown is today’s date
if the customer has recorded an earlier date on the form tell them that the application will be from the form was received. If there is a reason why the form should be dated before this date the customer should provide it in writing

make copies of all required documents. Make sure you copy all relevant pages. For passports ensure that you copy the pages with the customer’s photograph, plus details of residency and any travelling dates
stamp the copies to indicate that you have seen the original. Date and sign your stamp
if the customer provides copies of documents indicate that originals have not been seen
receive the form regardless of whether the required documents are supplied by the customer. Make copies of any other documents supplied
if documents are missing advise the customer that they will need to supply the missing information. Note that the missing documents are to be supplied. Date and sign your note

Issuing a receipt

issue the customer with a receipt indicating which form you have received
record on the receipt details of any documents you have copied
record any documents that are required but have not been supplied
identify which department will receive the application
on the receipt ensure that the name and address of the customer and details of the application form and descriptions of the document are recorded
record your name and the date

Next Steps

tell the customer what happens next and when they can expect to be contacted by the council
tell the customer who to contact in the department if they need to ask any questions

Once the local authority receives the completed application form, accompanied by relevant documents, a grant officer will visit the property to assess it. After the assessment, the grant will be approved on the lowest estimate provided. An official letter will be issued, advising the applicant.

Following confirmation from the local authority that their application has been approved, applicants must use one of the two contractors whom they obtained estimates from in order to carry out the work or the council will not pay out the grant.

Once all the work is completed, two grant officers will inspect the property and will process the payment on receipt of the following information:

owner’s satisfaction to work
final accounts from all contractors involved
DPC/timber treatment guarantee if required
electrical completion certificate if required
gas inspection certificate Corgi Reg if required
Building Control Approval if required

The grant section of the local authority should be notified soon as the work starts.

Interaction: Benefits or grants

Degree of completeness: High

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