Grants for emergency home repairs

You do not need to bring your home up to the full decent homes standard when making the repairs.

We will not pay for works carried out before the emergency home repairs grant has been approved.

What you can get help with

You can get help with a variety of repairs, including:

• dangerous electrical or gas installations
• no form of heating (from 1 October to 31 March)
• no hot water supply
• risk of injury from falling elements or structural collapse
• serious roof leaks
• defective stairlifts, through-floor lifts or other disabled adaptations which you need to live independently
• improving the security to windows and doors.

Eligibility

You can apply for a grant if you:

• have owned and occupied the property for at least three years immediately preceding the date of application
• are over 18-years-old and living at the property as your main residence
• get a qualifying benefit: income support, income based job seekers allowance, guaranteed pension credit, council tax benefit (excluding the single person allowance), housing benefit, working tax credit (with an income of less than £15,050*) or child tax credit (with an income of less than £15,050*).

*or the relevant level at the time.

More information and conditions of applying can be found in the housing assistance policy at the bottom of this page.

Special arrangement for defective stairlifts and through-floor lifts

We recognise the serious impact a defective stairlift or through-floor lift can have on a disabled person to live independently. In exceptional circumstances, work can go ahead before a formal grant application has been received. This is provided the work is ordered through our housing grants section.

A grant application must be submitted as soon as possible after the work has been completed. If you are not eligible for grant assistance (i.e. you do not get a qualifying benefit) or you do not make an application, you will be responsible for paying the full cost of the work.

This grant will not cover works to repair lifts that have been used incorrectly or misused.

This special arrangement does not apply to any other work carried out under the emergency home repairs grant assistance policy. In all other cases the work must not be carried out until the grant approval has been issued by us in writing. 

More information and conditions of applying can be found in the housing assistance policy at the bottom of this page.

Home security grant

You can get a home security grant for improving security to the external doors and windows of a property. It does not cover the installation of new double glazed windows, burglar alarms, sheds, garages or garden fencing.

Eligibility

You must:

• be aged over 65
• be living in the property as your main residence
• get a qualifying benefit.

Help is also available if you are aged under 65 if:

• you have been burgled whilst living in the property
• you have been a victim of racial or religious hate crime whilst living in the property.

More information and conditions of applying can be found in the housing assistance policy at the bottom of this page.

Amount available

The maximum amount that is allowed for home security works is £500.

Amount of grant assistance available

• The grant will cover the full cost of eligible work, up to a maximum of £2,000.
• The maximum amount for home security work is £500.

This is the maximum level of grants assistance that can be awarded in any five-year period. In calculating this amount, any repairs grants or loans awarded under this policy or previous grant policies will be included.

How to apply

For more information and to apply for these grants, please contact the housing grants team.

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