This grant is to help owner occupiers carry out repairs and improvements to their homes to ensure they are wind and weathertight, warm and have reasonably modern facilities.
What is a 'Decent Home'?
A 'decent home' is a phrase used by Government to describe homes that:
- Do not have any significant hazards that could harm the occupants;
- Are in a reasonable state of repair;
- Have resonably modern facilities; and
- Provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
What type of works may qualify for a grant?
- Works to remove serious health and safety hazards in the property.
- Works to the structure (for example walls), external elements (for example roof covering, windows), and internal services and amenities (for example boilers, electrics), where they need replacing or major repair.
- In certain circumstances the improvement of old kitchens (over 20 years) and bathrooms (over 30 years) and improving internal layout.
- The provision of efficient heating systems and effective insulation.
Who can apply?
The applicant must be an owner occupier and receiving a specified income or disability related benefit.
What is a Specified Benefit?
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Disabled persons Tax Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Working Families Tax Credit (Child Tax Credit)*
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- Pension Credit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- War Disablement Pension
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* Households receving either working tax credit, which includes a disability element or child tax credit, providing the person entitled to the tax credit has a relevant income of less than £15,460 as defined for the purposes of determining eligibility for the tax credit.
How much grant is available?
The amount of grant payable will be 100% of the cost of the eligible works up to a maximum grant of £15,000 per application.
What conditions will be applied?
Works must be completed within 12 months of grant being approved; in most circumstances, failure to comply with this condition will result in the grant not being paid.
