Repairs that could be financed
If you are a home owner on a low income and your home is in need of essential repairs the Council may be able to help. For example: if you have an outside WC, old and/or dangerous electrics, a very bad roof leak, no hot water or a serious damp problem the Council may be able to help you improve your home.
The type of finance available
The Council does not offer renovation grants any longer but we can give financial assistance in the form of low cost loans.
Who are the loans for?
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 an income related benefit.
It is always worth contacting the Council to see if you or the repairs are eligible.
What happens if I wish to apply for financial Assistance?
To find out if you or the repairs are likely to be eligible contact the Housing Improvement Team. If it appears that you might be eligible an officer from the team will visit you in your home and will survey your whole house. They will decide which works are eligible and talk to you about your financial circumstances.
Paying back the loan
How the loan is paid back depends on the type of loan that you have.
For some types of loans, when the work is finished and paid for, a Local Land Charge or a Registered Charge with the Land Registry will be put on the property. This is so that the money will be paid back to the Council or loan company when the property is sold, transferred or inherited.
Alternatively other types of loans are paid back by monthly repayments directly from your bank account. The loan you receive will depend on your circumstances.
Care & Repair in Bath and North East Somerset
If you feel worried or concerned about the process of applying for Financial Assistance from the Council you may wish to apply via Care & Repair. They will act as agents for you and help you through the process. For example filling in the application forms and getting estimates for the works from the builders. The Council will pay their fees for you if you decide to take this option.
Find out more about Care & Repair by going to their website at: www.mendipcareandrepair.co.uk
About this leaflet
This leaflet has provided some basic key information about Home Improvement Assistance but it is not a definitive statement of the Council’s Policy on this matter. The current Housing Renewal Policy is available to the public. The Housing Improvement Team can send you a copy in the post if you wish.
For further information or to make an enquiry please contact:
Housing Improvement Team
Housing Services
PO Box 3343
Bath BA1 2ZH Tel: 01225-396216
For Care & Repair Enquiries:
Bath & North East Somerset Care & Repair
Barley House, The Old Brewery
Charlton Estate
Shepton Mallet, BA4 5QE Tel. 01749 345379
Energy Efficiency
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 Streets - offers something for everyone