Introduction

The purpose of any improvement and repair grant system is to achieve significant improvement in the condition of the housing stock. The system is not intended to be used to meet the convenience of a particular occupier of an already satisfactory house (e.g. to enlarge a property) nor to support the commercial activity of a landlord.

Grants should not be given for work, which is tantamount to building a new house, for example where what is essentially a new house is built on little more than the foundations or part of the walls of a derelict building or where large extensions are being provided.

Guide to Housing Grants - Scottish Executive booklet

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The primary responsibility for maintenance of private sector housing lies with the owner.

The Council operates a number of grant schemes to help people living in owner-occupied or privately rented housing to meet the costs of having their homes improved, repaired or adapted. Most grants are at the discretion of the Council and almost all are now subject to a test of the applicant’s financial resources.  A small number of grants are, under certain conditions, mandatory and the Council are obliged to approve these. Other schemes by outside agencies offer home insulation and draught proofing grants (see Warm Deal Programme).

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Improvement Grants (discretionary)

Discretionary improvement grants can be awarded for improvements to existing houses to bring them up to the tolerable standard, e.g. by installing bathroom facilities, dealing with structural instability, or eradication of severe dampness. Discretionary improvement grants may also be available for other kinds of improvement or to convert two properties into one, to sub-divide one property into two or convert another building into a house.

Discretionary improvement grants can be available to make houses suitable for occupants with disabilities, e.g. level access showers, ramps, stairlifts or purpose built extensions to accommodate a ground floor bedroom or bathroom.

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Improvement grants (mandatory)

A mandatory improvement grant is available if a house lacks any of the basic standard amenities, e.g. bath or shower, WC, wash hand basin, sink and hot and cold water supply. A mandatory improvement grant is also available if a house already has a standard amenity but requires a second one more suitably located for a disabled person.

A mandatory improvement grant is available if a house is Below the Tolerable Standard (BTS) and the Council has served an Improvement Order on the property.

A mandatory improvement grant is also available if your house is in an area which the Council has declared to be a Housing Action Area (HAA) for improvement (note – there are no HAA’s currently in Moray).

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Repair Grants (discretionary)

Discretionary repair grants can be awarded for work to both the internal and external fabric of a house, which is necessary to maintain the useful life of the property, e.g. repairs to roof or walls, eradication of rot or replacing rotten window frames which could be affecting the structure.

Discretionary repair grants can also be available for replacing lead piping or reducing exposure to radon gas.

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Repair grants (mandatory)

If the Council consider that a house is in a serious state of disrepair, or is likely to fall into serious disrepair, they can serve a Repairs Notice on the property requiring the owner to rectify the faults. If a notice is served under Section 108 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, a mandatory grant is available.

Mandatory repair grants may be available to help meet the cost of works specified in a notice served by the Council on a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) requiring the provision of such means of escape from fire as the Council considers necessary.

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Minimum percentage grants

Certain categories of works will be eligible for minimum percentage grant, these include:

• installation for the first time of standard amenities (WC, wash basin, bath/shower, sink and hot and cold water supplies), including the provision of additional amenities, required for use by a disabled occupant.
• bringing a house up to meet the statutory Tolerable Standard
• adaptations to meet the needs of a disabled occupant.
• works to improve or repair shared parts of a building which includes more than one house
• lead pipe replacement
• works to reduce exposure to radon gas.

Such grants attract 50% rate of grant. Where the amount of grant calculated through means testing is higher than the amount offered under the minimum percentage grant, the applicant will receive the higher amount.

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Financial Assessment - Owner/Occupiers, Tenants and Disabled occupants

Three elements require to be determined:

• approved expense of grant eligible works
• applicants contribution
• any minimum percentage grant which may apply.

The assessment applies to:

• the owner, where they, any joint owner or a member of any of their families occupies the houses as their main home
• a private tenant who is eligible for grant under part 6 of the Act.
• a disabled occupant, or the parent/guardian of a disabled child

Persons assessed are:

• the applicant
• the applicant’s partner
• except where grant relates to adaptations for a disabled person, any joint owner or joint tenant with the applicant, and the spouse of any joint owner or joint tenant.
• Those in receipt of specified benefits may receive 100% grant i.e. Income Support or Income based Job Seekers Allowance, or Guarantee Element of Pension Credit. Further information on benefits is available from Department of Work and Pensions or Moray Council's Welfare Benefits Section.  However, the income of all persons assessed will be calculated to determine the rate of the grant.The assessment includes annual income net of Tax and National Insurance Contributions, interest from savings and income from other sources including pensions (excluding the basic state pension). Annual mortgage and rent payments are also included in the calculation and allowances are built into the assessment regarding children and disabled persons in the family.

The following table gives a broad indication of the level of grant that an applicant can expect. The figures in column 1 are those after the financial assessment calculation i.e. net of tax etc.

These figures are taken from Scottish Executives guidance. Details are available on the Scottish Executive website.   Determining the level of grant is subject to verification by the local authority.  The above figures only give a general indication of the level of grant that may be awarded.  The actual level of grant awarded is in 1% increments.  Where the works fall into the minimum percentage grant category a 50% grant may be awarded irrespective of the level of assessable income.

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Financial assessment - Landlords, Developers, Non Owner/Occupiers

Three elements require to be determined

• a valuation of the property reflecting the condition of the property at time of application
• a valuation of the property if all the proposed works were to have been carried out on the same date.
• the approved expense of the grant eligible works

If the increase in value exceeds the approved expense – no grant.

If the increase in value is less than the approved expense the difference is the amount on which grant is based with a minimum grant of 20%

Grant is increased by 20% for each of the following criteria where works.

• Provide additional housing by conversion or bringing back into use housing which has been empty for at least two years.
• Bring a property up to the Tolerable Standard.
• Are part of a refurbishment scheme.
• Relate to common parts of a building where there is shared responsibility.
• Are carried out by a non-profit making housing provider e.g. Registered Social Landlord or charity.
• Significantly increase the accessibility of a house for a disabled person.

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Works eligible for grant

The following are examples of works that may attract grant:

• Works to bring the house up to the statutory Tolerable Standard by the provision of standard amenities, dealing with structural instability or eradication of severe dampness.
• Alteration and enlargement, where this is necessary to provide adequate kitchen or bathroom facilities, or to meet the needs of a disabled person.
• Replacement of unsafe electrical wiring.
• Installation of mains powered smoke detectors
• Provision of adequate heating systems (only when other works are being carried out).
• Provision of adequate thermal insulation (only when other works are being carried out).
• Works required to make the house suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of a disabled occupant e.g. level access showers, ramps, stairlifts or purpose built extensions to accommodate a ground floor bathroom or bedroom.
• Works of repair to both the internal and external fabric of a house which are necessary to maintain the useful life of the property e.g. repairs to walls, roofs, eradication of rot or replacement of rotten window frames which could be affecting the structure.
• The replacement of water supply pipes which are made of lead.
• Works intended to reduce exposure to radon gas.
• In buildings in common ownership, the provision of a fire retardant entrance door and a main door entryphone system.

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Grant eligibility criteria

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Increased Expenditure Level

The expenditure limits and eligibility criteria detailed above are set in law and cannot normally be exceeded.  In very exceptional circumstances, the Council can decide to apply to the Scottish Executive for an increase in the limits but any decision to do so is at the discretion of the Council.

Who to contact

The Private Sector Housing Officer, will be happy to provide information and guidance on what grants may be available and the procedure to follow when applying.

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Submission of Applications and grant process

• The completed application form, signed by the owner(s), must contain full particulars of the building in which the works are to be carried out, along with any supplementary information that may be required. To prevent any unnecessary delay in the grant process it is important that verification of all financial details is provided at the time of application.
• A copy of any necessary plans showing the building as existing and as proposed, with all new work being coloured.
• At least two competitive tenders, for all proposed works, from approved contractors, must be submitted with the application. These should be in the form of detailed priced specifications with the various trades broken down into items and these items individually priced. Lump sum estimates are unacceptable. In cases were the proposed works do not, in the opinion of the Council, justify the preparation of such detailed estimates, a simpler form of priced specification will be accepted, e.g. where the application relates solely to one item or to certain repairs. Professional fees may form part of the cost on which grant is based.
• Where work of damp-proof course insertion and/or dry rot eradication is proposed, estimates must be obtained from firms who are prepared to guarantee the work for a period of 30 years from the completion of the project.
• The grant calculation will be based either on the lowest single contractor or separate trades estimates submitted. The grant will only be paid provided that one of the contractors who tendered for the works be employed, unless with the specific prior agreement of the Council.
• Approval of the grant application normally takes approximately one week from all other statutory approvals being in place and required information received.
• During the course of the improvement/repair works the property will be inspected by staff from the Council’s Grants Section.
• Invoices for the grant can be submitted to the Council for up to four instalment payments, the final payment being due after the Council has satisfied itself that the planned works have been properly completed.
• Applications for payments by instalments will be considered only on the basis that:

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Care and Repair

Most people want to stay in their own home for as long as possible but may need assistance in tackling problems of an old or unsuitable house. Organising and financing building work can be a complex and often distressing experience.

Care and Repair offers independent advice and assistance to help home owners repair, improve or adapt their home so that they can live in comfort and safety in their own community. The free and confidential service is for owner occupiers and private tenants who are at least 60 years of age, low incomed or who have a disability.

Care and Repair can assist by

• Obtaining surveys and drawings.
• Obtaining estimates from reputable contractors.
• Assisting with paper work e.g. filling in forms.
• Applying for Building Warrants and Planning permission where relevant.
• Applying for Improvement and Repair grants.
• Applying for loans or other funding.
• Organising the works.
• Approaching other agencies who may be able to provide help.

A Moray wide Care and Repair three year project is now in operation and details of eligibility, range of services undertaken and other assistance offered to householders can be obtained by contacting the Care and Repair Project Officer Email:mcar@castlehillha.co.uk

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Grants for Central Heating and Insulation

Two Scottish Executive grant schemes are currently available to help those living in privately owned properties to meet the costs of installing central heating and insulation in their homes,  Central Heating programme and  Warm Deal programme. Both schemes are managed on behalf of the Scottish Executive by Scottish Gas (Further information is available from Scottish Gas, Freepost, SCO 4421, Edinburgh, EH6 0BR; or you can telephone them on their freephone number: 0800 316 1653, or click here to be redirected to their website)

Central Heating programme

The householder or partner must be aged 60 years or over and must own their own home or have a tenancy agreement with a private sector landlord.  The house must lack any form of central heating or have a central heating system in place that is wholly non-functioning. 

(Central heating means a system which provides warmth to 2 or more rooms in a dwelling through a series of connected radiators or ducts linked to a central boiler or from a series of electric storage heaters and controlled from one central point).

Other conditions:

Where the property belongs to a private landlord - we will seek permission from the landlord to carry out the work

• The householder must agree to have the insulation installed, where it is possible to do so
• The property must be their main or only residence and they must have lived in the property for at least 12 months prior to application and intend to stay at the property for at least 12 months after the work has been carried out
• The house must not be the subject of a closing or demolition order
• There will be no retrospective grants

In addition to the above, those applicants where the householder or partner are aged 80 years or over OR applicants aged between 60 and 79 years in receipt of the guarantee element of Pension Credit may qualify if:

• They have a partial central heating system, which does not currently heat the main rooms of the dwelling (the main living room, the main bedroom, the main hall and the main bathroom)
  Or
• They have a central heating system, which is unable to deliver the minimum temperature standards as set out in the current Central Heating Programme performance specification
  Or
• Have an inefficient central heating system

The package of measures provided under the Central Heating Programme:

• A central heating system (mains gas, electric, solid fuel and oil)
• Loft, tank and pipe insulation, cavity wall insulation and draught-proofing where appropriate
• Advice on how to use the heating system and on best use of energy and budgeting
• Safety devices such as, carbon monoxide detector (not electric), mains smoke detector and a cold alarm
• Benefits entitlement check (optional carried out by The Pension Service)

In addition to the package of measures under the main scheme, those applicants where the householder or partner aged 80 years or over, who have a partial or inefficient system will receive additional measures such as loft clearance and reinstatement.

Those clients who have a broken central heating system but it can be repaired will be offered assistance to repair their heating system if the cost to repair the system costs £400 - £750, if the repair costs more than £750 a new system will be installed.

A CAP (grant maximum) has been introduced.  The maximum grant for all measures will be £3,500, and the householder will be asked to pay for the additional costs.  If the lowest cost central heating system is more than £3,500 the householder will be allowed up to a grant maximum of £5,500.

Contact Telephone Numbers and Addresses

Central Heating Programme - 0800 316 1653.

Freepost address:

Scottish Executive Central Heating Programme
Scottish Gas
FREEPOST
SCO4421
EDINBURGH
EH6 0BR

Click here to be redirected to the Scottish Gas website

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Warm Deal programme

A grant of up to £500 is available for home owners or tenants of private landlords for energy efficiency measures such as: cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, hot and cold tank and pipe insulation, draught-proofing, energy advice and energy saving light bulbs, providing they or their partner are in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit (not 25% single occupancy)
• Disability Living Allowance
• Disabled Persons Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit (income less than £15,460)
• Pensioners in receipt of minimum guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Working Families Tax Credit (income less than £15,460)
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include Constant Attendance Allowance)
• War Disablement Pension (which must include the Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)
  OR
• Children in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (under the age of 16 years)

People aged over 60 years who are not on one of the benefits listed above, can receive works up to 25% of the full grant, up to £125.

There is no materials only grant for loft insulation.

Contact Telephone Numbers and Addresses

Warm Deal - 0800 316 6009

Freepost address:
Warm Deal Grant
Scottish Gas
FREEPOST
SCO4421
EDINBURGH
EH6 0BR

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Grants from fuel suppliers

The following fuel suppliers may also have grants to help towards the cost of providing insulation. Different grants may be offered at different times of the year.

More information can be obtained from

• Scottish and Southern Electric Tel 0800 444 321
• Scottish Gas Tel 0845 300 4532
• Scottish Power Tel 0800 332233

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Renewable Energy Grants

Further information on this type of grant is available from  Energy Savings Trust. (This link opens in a new window)

Guide to Housing Grants - Scottish Executive booklet (This link opens in a new window)

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