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Essential home repair grants

Essential home repairs grant

This is a discretionary grant intended to help low-income and vulnerable owner-occupiers and their households to carry out essential repairs to their home. A higher grant amount may be awarded in cases where the disrepair is likely to have a significantly adverse impact on their health.

Eligible applicants

  • Owner occupiers and members of their household may apply.

Qualifying criteria

  • The applicant must be in receipt of (or eligible for) a means-tested benefit.
  • The applicant or a member of their resident household must meet one or more of the following:
    • Aged 60 or over
    • A child under 16 (or over 16 and eligible for child benefit)
    • Be vulnerable due to a disability or long-term health condition

Eligible works

  • This grant is restricted to “essential repairs”, meaning repairs that if they were not undertaken would likely result in serious hazards to health and/or contribute to worsening existing health conditions. Routine maintenance and desirable improvements are specifically excluded.

Key conditions

  • Up to the full value of this grant awarded may be placed as a land charge for 10-years from the date of completion of works.
  • Owner must have had a legal interest in the property for at least 3 years.
  • The applicant must intend to remain in the property as only or main residence for 5 years.
  • No more than the maximum total eligible grant will be paid in respect of any one property or household in any 10-year period.
  • Our standard grant conditions and restrictions apply.

Maximum grant value

  • Up to £10,000 in cases where the applicant has a long-term health condition or disability that is being, or likely to be worsened by the disrepair.
  • Up to £5,000 in all other cases.

Notes:

We will ask for evidence of health conditions as part of applications, and we may consult a suitably qualified medical professional, Occupational Therapist, or other experts, to help us assess applications.

All discretionary grants are subject to funding availability and may be withdrawn or amended without notice.

To make an essential home repairs grant enquiry, email housing.standards@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or call 01295 227004.