Home Improvement and Repair Grants
Details
The Private Sector Grants Unit provides advice to the public on the availability of improvement and repair grants and also administers the process of approving grant applications and making payment of grants.Grants currently available fall into two categories: Discretionary or Mandatory. Eligible works also fall under two categories:
- Improvement
- Repair
Grants Currently Available (As at March 2008):
Discretionary Grants
Lead Mains Replacement:
A Repairs Grant at 50% of eligible costs may be available on the cost of replacing any lead water supply pipework between the street service mains and the kitchen sink. Certain applicants (usually owner occupiers) may obtain a higher percentage grant (can be up to 100%) but this is subject to a test of resources. Works must not commence prior to written approval i.e. grant is not awarded retrospectively.
For further details on this grant please contact the Private Sector Grants Unit, Neighbourhood Services Central Area at St. Nicholas House, Tel. 01224 522134.
Scottish Water has also produced an information sheet on lead in drinking water. It is entitled “Factsheet No. 7 - Lead explained” and can be downloaded from their website at: www.scottishwater.co.uk
Private Water Supplies:
An improvement grant may be available on remedial works relating to non-mains private water supplies which are deemed not to comply with the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 1992 by Environmental Protection staff. Typically non-complying supplies may contain excessive concentrations of harmful bacteria or detrimental levels of chemical contaminants. Remedial works can include, for example, the installation of ultra-violet filtration systems for removal of bacteria but may also involve connection to the public mains supply where this is considered appropriate.
A minimum grant of 50% of eligible costs may be available in relation to houses i.e. non-commercial properties however certain applicants may obtain up to 100%, subject to a test of resources.
Contact the Environmental Protection Service on 01224 523737 for details of Private Water Supplies in the Aberdeen City area and the Private Sector Grants Unit for information on grant assistance.
Adaptations for People Suffering from a Disability:
An Improvement Grant at a minimum of 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum cost of £20,000 (i.e. maximum grant of £10,000 at 50% level) may be available to adapt an existing private house to meet the needs of an occupant who is disabled. A higher % grant (up to 100%) may be available dependent upon a test of resources. In the first instance the applicant must contact the Occupational Therapy Service to ensure that they are fully assessed as to their personal requirements.
For further details on accessing this grant please contact the Duty Occupational Therapist at Links Resource Centre, City Hospital, Tel. 01224 558333. If applicants require details on the grant itself please contact the Private Sector Grants Unit in St. Nicholas House, Tel. 01224 522134
Assistance may also be offered in relation to Council & Housing Association tenants through a different financial arrangement but again the Duty Occupational Therapist should be contacted in the first instance at the number given above.
Statutory Grants
Standard Amenities:
An improvement grant must be given to provide the standard amenities within a house for the first time as long as the house meets the tolerable standard on completion. The standard amenities are a fixed bath or shower; a wash-hand basin and a sink, all with hot & cold water supply & a water closet. Currently there are less than 80 such houses within the city. Grant is calculated at 50% of eligible costs and an expense limit of £10,000 applies (maximum grant of £5,000). Owner occupiers may obtain a higher % grant (up to 100%) but this is subject to a test of resources.
An Improvement grant must also be given to provide one or more of the standard amenities to meet the needs of a disabled person where the existing amenities are not accessible to that person.
Serious Disrepair Notices, Housing Action Areas & Improvement Orders:
Various Improvement & Repair Grants have to be awarded whenever the Council takes the above action. In all cases a minimum grant of 50% of eligible costs applies but owner occupiers may obtain a higher % grant (up to 100%) but subject to a test of resources. The expense limit is £20,000 but this may be increased where there are exceptionally high costs. Further information on the above can be obtained from the Private Sector Grants Unit located within St. Nicholas House.Tel. 01224 522134.
Notes on other useful contacts:
Aberdeen Care and Repair is a voluntary organisation providing free advice and technical assistance to clients about repairs and improvements in their homes. They cater for persons over the age of 60 and/or persons who suffer from some form of disability or chronic ill health. They offer a Handyman Service to clients and details can be obtained on Tel. 251133. There is also the Affordable Warmth Scheme administered by Aberdeen Care and Repair which provides low interest loans for the installation of central heating and the contact is the same as above.
Care & Repair can also assist with applications through the Scottish Executive’s Central Heating Initiative whereby grants of up to £2,500 can be available for installing central heating in homes where there is no central heating (or where the heating system cannot be repaired) and where there is an occupant over 60 years of age.
Information on how to obtain grants for insulation works and details on energy advice issues can be obtained from SCARF, Aberdeen & North East Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, 1 Cotton Street, Aberdeen. Freephone 0800 512012 or Tel. 01224 213005
A further contact on energy saving measures i.e. insulation, energy efficient boilers and energy audits would be Janice Lyon, Home Energy Co-ordinator, Strategic Leadership, Aberdeen City Council. Janice can be contacted at Tel. 01224 538063 or 01224 538062.
Owners of buildings may be able to obtain financial assistance from the Aberdeen City Heritage Trust. This could apply for example to owners of Listed buildings and buildings within Conservation Areas. The contact is Douglas Campbell, Project Officer, Tel. 01224 522755 or at their web-site address: www.aberdeenheritage.org.uk
General advice on property maintenance issues is contained within two pamphlets that can be obtained from the Private Sector Grants Unit at St. Nicholas House. The Aberdeen Property Repair Initiative (APRI) have produced a small information pamphlet which gives general advice on how to organise works and an annual checklist on parts of your building that should be inspected regularly for repairs. The second booklet entitled “Common Repair. Common Sense” has been produced on behalf of Communities Scotland and is a basic homeowner’s guide on the management and maintenance of common property e.g. tenements. Copies of these pamphlets can be sent to owners on request.
Contact(s)
- Private Sector Grants Unit
Private Sector Grants
Phone: 01224 522134
Email: privatehousing@aberdeencity.gov.uk
The Private Sector Grants Unit
Environmental Protection Section
Neighbourhood Services Central
St.Nicholas House
Broad Street
Aberdeen AB10 1BX
