Common Repairs Policy - Section 11
11. Financial Assistance For Owners
11.1 In certain instances, owners may be eligible for financial assistance from the Council. The Council operates a , which may help people living in owner-occupied housing with some of the costs of having their homes improved, adapted or repaired. The type of grant available will depend on the kind of work required.
11.2 Where a house requires improvements or repairs which, if neglected, would threaten the future life of the house then the Council may provide grant assistance. The provision of grant assistance is subject to a test of the applicant’s financial resources and the applicant’s ability to pay for the cost of the repair.
11.3 Where common repair works to a building are of shared responsibility and:
- the building comprises two or more houses, or a house or houses and other premises;
- the works will benefit two or more such houses or premises; and
- the cost will be shared amongst the owner or occupiers of those houses or premises
a ‘minimum percentage grant’ may apply even where the owner cannot meet the means test. For example, a common repair to a roof. Minimum percentage grants are set at 50% or the approved cost.
11.4 The commencement of the provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 will provide a single maximum grant level of £20,000 paid to any particular applicant, dependent on a means test.
11.5 If the Council finds that a house is in a serious state of disrepair, or is likely to fall into serious disrepair a Repairs Notice may be served. This requires the owner to rectify the faults. If served under Section 108 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, a mandatory grant is available, regardless of income. The minimum percentage will be 50%. Those whose relevant income entitles them to a higher percentage will receive that higher amount.
11.6 If the Council finds that a house fails to meet the Tolerable Standard an Improvement Order may be served. This requires the owner to bring the house up to the Tolerable Standard and put in into a good state of repair. If served under Section 88 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, a mandatory grant is available, regardless of income. The minimum percentage will be 50%. Those whose relevant income entitles them to a higher percentage will receive that higher amount.