Small scale improvements grants and loans

Small scale home repair grants and loans are available where there is either an immediate need for works or the works would be required within the next year. The works would enable the occupier to remain independent in their own home and ensure that it is in a safe, secure and weather tight condition.

The types of work that can be grant-aided include:

Repairs

• roof repairs
• repairs to dangerous gas and electrical installations
• repairs or renewal of defective windows
• repair of defective floors or stairs
• replacement of defective plumbing
• repair of drainage systems
• renewal of hazardous paving
• renewal of defective boundary fences and access gates if owned by the applicant and necessary for security purposes.

Improvements

• provision of central heating
• provision of gas heaters (fires and water heaters) or other methods of heating not involving solid fuel combustion
• thermal insulation or other energy efficiency improvements
• installation of a telephone line (Lifeline Clients)
• improved security measures as recommended by the Crime Prevention Officer
• additional power sockets
• minor disabled adaptations (over bath shower, small ramps and electric door openers)
• double glazing (where windows are defective, and timber replacement exceeds the cost of uPVC replacements)
• provision of safe floor finishes in the kitchen or bathroom
• provision of facilities for preparing and cooking food.

Please note: this list is not exhaustive in respect of works where assistance may be given.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for assistance an applicant must be:

(a) aged 18 or over on the date of application;

(b) an owner-occupier;

(c) on income related benefit i.e.

• Universal Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (income or contributions based)
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction
• Working Tax Credit  or Child Tax Credit, where annual income is below £15,050 for tax credit assessment purposes
• Job Seekers Allowance (income or contributions based)
• Guaranteed Pension Credit

Have a power or duty to carry out the works

Your attention is drawn to the Council's exceptions policy if you feel that you may suffer hardship as a result of the Council's policy for assistance.

Grant payments

Small scale home repairs assistance is available for 100% of the estimated expense for eligible works up to a maximum of £1000 on each application. Assistance over a three-year period cannot be more than £2,000.

Loan payments

Where the cost of the works is between £501 and £10,000 the Council can offer a loan to finance the cost of the works. This will be repayable if the property is sold within 35 years from the date of the loan being made. The loan is interest free. The requirement to repay will stop after 35 years. The loan limit is £10,000 for each application and assistance over a three-year period cannot normally be more than £10,000. The loan will be registered as a local land charge.

Take advice

Please note all applicants seeking assistance are recommended to take independent legal, financial and other advice concerning the signing of the loan agreement and the registration of the local land charge.

In the event that a grant or loan is approved at the maximum amount and there are unforeseen works which prevent completion of works, the Head of Service, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Safety, has delegated authority to increase the maximum by up to £1,000.

A bona fide invoice must accompany all requests for payments from one of the contractors whose estimates were submitted with the application and be receipted as paid, unless the payment is being made direct to the contractor.

Invoices from a member of the applicant's family will not be acceptable. Invoices for materials only from a third party will be acceptable.

Please note: do not start work until you have received written approval from the Council for your grant or loan.

If you are elderly, disabled or vulnerable, the Council’s Home Improvement Agency provider Millbrook Healthcare can provide further advice and help with home adaptations and maintaining independence in the home. If you want any help with filling out the application form or arranging the work, please contact:

Millbrook Healthcare

• Millbrook Healthcare website
• Telephone: 0330 124 3758
• Address: Millbrook Healthcare Ltd East Surrey, 1 Alma Building, Brewer Street, Bletchingley, Surrey, RH1 4QP.

If you live with family members

Please note that if you live with family members who could reasonably be expected to contribute towards the cost of the works, assistance will not be available.

How to apply for small scale home repairs assistance

If you choose not to use Millbrook Healthcare services or do not meet the criteria for them to assist you, fill in the downloadable application form below and send it to the address below, together with a detailed estimate and specification of works. You can also contact the Council and request for us to post an application form to you.

A Housing Improvements Officer will then arrange to visit you to inspect your property and ensure that the proposed works are eligible and assess if your estimates are sufficient for your application to proceed and advise you accordingly.

Application form for: Small Scale Home Repairs Assistance (DOC)

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

• Email: environmental.protection@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
• Telephone: 01737 276 417
• Address: Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Environmental Health, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 0SH

More information

Our policy for financial assistance with repairs to dwellings seeks to encourage personal responsibility and self-reliance of owner-occupiers to maintain and repair their homes.

However it is acknowledged that there will be an ongoing need for assistance for some owner occupiers with grant aid to deal with urgent repairs.