Decent Homes Assistance
| Demand for decent homes assistance exceeded available resources in 2006-2007 and it was necessary to place new applications in a queue pending a policy review. A revised financial assistance policy was adopted by the Council on 10th October. All those currently in the waiting list will be given priority, in date order of their enquiry, under the terms of the new scheme. |
Purpose
To enable homes occupied by people in receipt of certain income or disability related benefits to meet the Decent Homes standard.
Decent Homes Standard
The Decent Homes Standard
is a new way of measuring whether homes
are in a reasonable condition.There are 4 conditions which need to be satisfied in order to meet the standard:
1. Homes must be free from ‘category 1’ hazards as assessed using the new Housing Health and Safety Rating system.
Category 1 hazards are defects that could harm the health or safety of the occupier.
Typical examples are inadequate heating, dampness or electrical hazards.
2. Homes must be in a reasonable state of repair.
This means that the main elements of the structure such as the roof, walls, windows, plumbing or heating should not be old and in poor condition.
3. Homes should have reasonably modern facilities and services.
This means that bathrooms should be less than 30 years old and appropriately located, and that kitchens should be less than 20 years old and have adequate space and layout.
4. Homes should provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
This means that homes should have an efficient, programmable system of heating and adequate standards of insulation.
If you are the owner of a property which fails to meet the Decent Homes Standard and you are in receipt of a qualifying income or disability related benefit then you are likely to qualify for grant aid. If you own a property occupied by tenants in receipt of the same benefits then you are also likely to qualify for grant aid.
Qualifying Benefits
A Housing Officer will assess your home in accordance with the following criteria as part of the grant application process.
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Disabled Persons Tax Credit
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- War Disablement Pension
- Child Tax Credit*
- Working Tax Credit*
- Pension Credit
* Household income must be less than £15, 050.
The Assistance Available
Owner occupiers in receipt of one of the above benefits:
100% of the cost of eligible works subject to a maximum grant of £25,000
and a 5 year occupancy condition
Landlords with tenants in receipt of the above benefits (subject to Officer assessment):
- 50% of the cost of eligible works subject to a maximum grant of £25,000 and a 5 year availability for letting condition
OR
- 75% of the cost of eligible works subject to a maximum grant of £25,000 accompanied by a 10 year availability for letting condition
Full Grant Conditions
(pdf 18 kb)Further Help
If you are interested in making an application for a Decent Homes Assistance Grant, please click on the link below. You can make an initial enquiry by telephone or on-line. A Housing Officer will then contact you for an initial assessment and will help you with an application if you qualify for assistance.
Contact the Environmental Health and Housing team for further help
