Q. I am disabled and require adaptations to my home. Are there any grants to help pay for this?

A. Yes. If you or someone living in your property is disabled you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant towards the cost of providing adaptations and facilities to enable the disabled person to continue to live there. Examples of the type of adaptations possible include the installation of a stairlift or through floor lift, providing wheel chair access or replacing a bath with a walk in shower. To be eligible you will need to have your needs assessed by an Occupational Therapist and be subject to a financial test of resources. The Occupational Therapist can be contacted on 01225 396237.

For further information please contact Housing Services on 01225 396216.  There is also more information available in our Disabled Facillties Grant leaflet.

Q. I am on a low income and my house needs essential repairs. Are there any grants to help pay for this?

A. The Council does not offer renovation grants any longer but we can give financial assistance in the form of low cost or interest-free loans to carry out essential repairs.  If you are an owner-occupier then the Council can offer financial assistance for essential repairs and adaptations needed to your home. Examples of the type of work include repairing dangerous electrical circuits, providing internal W.C.s, repairing badly leaking roofs or dangerous chimneys etc.

To be eligible you will normally need to have lived in the property for 2 years. 

Your eligibility for a loan will depend on your age and your financial situation.

You may be eligible if you are over 60 or in receipt of a benefit.  However, you will be subject to a Test of Resources (means test) unless you are already in receipt of one of; Income Support, Income based job seekers allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.  For further information please contact Housing Services on 01225 396216.

Q. I am elderly/disabled and need small repairs or minor maintenance work about the house. Is there a handyperson service that could help?

A. Yes. If you are an owner-occupier (or a tenant with a repairing obligation) who is over 60 or disabled and need small repairs or minor maintenance work about the house then the Care & Repair in Bath & North East Somerset Handyperson service may be able to help. Generally a job that can be done by one person in a maximum of four hours will probably come under this service.

Examples of the work that they can do include changing light bulbs, putting up shelves and curtain rails, small plumbing repairs etc. Please note however that they do not do emergency callouts, gardening, and decorating, gas or electrical repairs.

The service is non-profit making – there is a small charge for labour and materials are charged at the cost for the job. However, like all charities Care & Repair welcome donations.

For further information please contact Care & Repair on 01761 413030.

Q. I am concerned about my home security. Can the Council offer any advice or grants to help towards the cost of security improvements?

A. Yes. Our Secure Homes Initiative, run in partnership with Avon & Somerset Constabulary, can provide advice from Police trained officers and a grant to cover the full cost of any recommended security works up to a maximum of £1,300. To be eligible you need to be an owner-occupier (or tenant with a repairing obligation) who is over 60 or someone who has been a victim of domestic violence or who is considered to be otherwise vulnerable. All applicants are subject to a test of resources and their contribution is to be deducted from the cost of the eligible work.  However, those in receipt of Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income Support, Income-Based Job-Seekers Allowance or Council Tax Benefit will not have a contribution.  This assistance includes any fees paid to Home Improvement Agencies.

For further information please contact Housing Services on 01225 396216.

Q. I am elderly/disabled and need support to undertake repairs, improvements or adaptations to my home. Is there any help?

A. Yes. Care & Repair in Bath & North East Somerset is an independent, non-profit making Home Improvement Agency funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council, offering help to older and disabled homeowners. Living independently in your own home is most people’s preferred option and this can often be extended for years with imagination and ongoing assistance – which is where Care & Repair come in.

Care & Repair in Bath & North East Somerset will visit you at home to discuss the options available to you. If you proceed with work the team will support you through the process of carrying out essential building work to your home. If you are on a low income, Care & Repair can help you to secure finance to cover the cost of any work required. They will advise on the availability of local authority grants, occupational benevolent funds and monies from alternative sources.

All their advice is free and confidential. If they carry out work at your home they may charge a fee to cover the cost of the technical input. This cost is usually covered by a grant. However, should you use their technical services to carry out private work, a small fee will be charged. This will be fully explained before any work starts.

For further information please contact Care & Repair on 01761 413030.

Q. I am thinking of employing a builder. Does the Council have a list of local contractors?

A. Yes. We maintain a list of local contractors. Prior to inclusion on the list all contractors submit a copy of their public liability insurance and have at least 2 of their jobs inspected. Prior to employing a contractor from the list it is important that you read the guidance notes at the top of the list. In addition we have some helpful guidance on employing a contractor including the contact details for useful organisations. Both the list and the guidance can be accessed from the links below.

For further information please contact the Housing Improvement Team on 01225 396216.

A. Is there any help available with making my home warmer or cheaper to heat?

A. Yes. We can offer free advice and information about improving the energy efficiency of your home through insulation or more efficient heating and appliances. We work in partnership with the Bristol and Somerset Energy Efficiency Advice Centre.  They have information on current grant schemes available in the area and can be contacted on Freephone 0800 512012.

Current grants available include:

Warm Front – a grant for low-income households to install a package of insulation and heating tailored to your property.

Warm & Well - offers something for everyone.

For further information please contact Charles Garrett on 01225 396341.