Scheme of Assistance Grants

The Private Sector Housing Unit provides advice to the public on the availability of scheme of assistance grants and also administers the process of approving grant applications and making payment of grants.

Grants Currently Available (As at 1 April 2010):

Adaptations for people with disabilities:
A grant at a minimum of 80% of eligible costs may be available to adapt an existing private house to meet the needs of an occupant who is disabled. A grant of 100% may be available dependent upon qualification through certain benefits.

. 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 see the dontacts below.

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.

The Scottish Government have published a leaflet "Help with Adaptations to Your Home" aimed at disabled people living in private housing in Scotland. The leaflet summarises the changes to the system of financial assistance with adaptations introduced on 1st April 2009 and is available as a down loadable form on the right hand menu.

Private Water Supplies

A 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 2006 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 does not include connection to the public mains supply where this is considered appropriate.

Contact the Environmental Protection Service on 01224 523778 for details of Private Water Supplies in the Aberdeen City area.

Notes on other useful contacts

Aberdeen Care and Repair (www.aberdeencareandrepair.co.uk) 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 Government's Central Heating Initiative.  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 Kevin Christie, Seniour Domestic Energy Officer, Aberdeen City Council. Kevin can be contacted on Tel. 01224 522094.

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 Housing 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.

 

Contacts

• Private Sector Housing Unit
  Housing and Environment
  Aberdeen City Council
  Business Hub 1
  Lower Ground West
  Marischal College
  Aberdeen
  AB10 1AB
  Phone: 01224 522299
  Fax: 01224 523278
  Email: privatehousing@aberdeencity.gov.uk