This grant is to help owner occupiers carry out repairs and improvement 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 does the 'Plus' mean?
The 'Plus' takes the thermal comfort standard of a decent home to a higher level. It includes heating improvements as well as increased levels of insulation.
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 with:
- a gross annual income below -
|
£20,000 |
if you are a single person with no children; |
|
£22,500 |
if you are a single parent with one child; |
|
£24,500 |
if you are a couple with no children; |
|
£25,000 |
if you are a single parent with two or more children; |
|
£27,000 |
if you are a couple with one child; |
|
£29,500 |
if you are a couple with two or more children; and |
- have savings of less than £16,000.
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 for each application.
What conditions will be applied?
- It is a condition of the grant that you occupy your home as your main residence for a period of five years after the grant has been paid. If you sell the property within that period you must repay the grant.
- Works must be completed within 12 months of the grant being approved; in most circumstances, failure to comply with this condition will result in the grant not being paid.
- Where central heating is provided or boilers are repaired or replaced, it is a condtion that draught proofing, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation is installed to the council's maximum standards.
