Housing - improvements - housing renovation grant for a private property

Decent Homes Grants

Decent Home Assistance may be available to owner-occupiers of accommodation, which is deemed "unfit to live in" has category 1 hazards under Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) or fails to meet the Decent Homes Standard. , For example, is in a bad state of repair, shows evidence of extensive dampness, lacks basic amenities such as bathroom or toilet facilities. The assistance is means tested and is normally repayable on the sale of the property.

A householder will contact the Team for information regarding their eligibility for grant assistance. This is usually by telephone. A Council Officer will establish whether or not the person meets the criteria to be awarded a grant. Clients receiving means tested benefits will pass the financial test. Clients who are not receiving "means tested" benefits will be sent a Form to complete, which asks for information about the money coming in each week. When the form is returned to the Council it is then assessed. The customer is then informed of the amount of money they must pay towards the cost of the adaptation works. If the client is eligible for the scheme and wants to go ahead with the works then a Grant Application Form will be sent out for completion. Clients are asked to return the form with more than one estimate for the work etc. After the grant has been calculated and approved, the householder may then arrange for their builder to carry out the work. Officers from the Council visit the property while the work is in progress and they also arrange for payments as necessary. When the work has been completed to the satisfaction of the householder and the Council and all necessary guarantees for the work have been produced etc then a final payment is made and the case closed.

Eligibility
Eligibility will be means tested (the Council will use the means test based on the statutory test used for mandatory disabled facilities grants). Homes will need to fail the standard in one or more of the following:
Unfit.
In substantial disrepair.
Lacking essential amenities.
Inadequate heating or insulation
The works required must be substantial and the cost of the work is likely to be more than £3,000.
In order to qualify the household must contain a vulnerable person or key worker. These grants are means tested and are intended for those who are:
Under 60 and not disabled.
Have no equity.
Cannot afford loan repayments.

The grant will be registered against the dwelling in the local land charges register. When the dwelling is sold or otherwise disposed of the Council will require the grant to be repaid in full (although the Council will satisfy itself that this is affordable)

Required Customer Information
Customers will have to be able to show proof of benefits, income and savings. They will also have to provide proof of ownership of the property, plans if necessary and a minimum of two estimates for the work.

Service Level Agreement and Turnaround
A survey would normally be arranged within six weeks of the return of the completed means test form and an application approved within three months of the receipt of all necessary papers.

More information about this service

Contact Us

Frequently asked questions

Address:
Home Improvements
PO Box 57 Civic Centre Silver Street
Enfield
Middlesex
EN1 3XH
Map

Telephone:
020 8379 6153

Fax:
020 8379 3667

Letter:
Write to the service, facility for leaving a voicemail message

Opening Hours:
8.30am-5.00pm Monday to Friday. First floor reception B Block Civic Centre

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