Renovation grants are discretionary grants for the repair,
adaptation or improvement of private homes. To assist landlords,
grants of up to £8,000 are available towards the cost of eligible
works to bring homes up to the decent homes standard.
Who is eligible?
- Grants are available to all landlords for houses that are to be
let at a reasonable rent level.
- Grants are available for homes that are currently rented, for
vacant homes, for conversion of large houses into smaller dwellings
and for the conversion of non-residential property to
residential.
- In the case of a vacant property and conversions there should
be a proven need for the accommodation in that area.
- Works are those that are needed to bring the property up to the
decent home standard.
What is the decent home standard?
A decent home is one which:
Meets the current minimum statutory standard for
housing - meaning that it is free of serious health and
safety hazards.
Is in a reasonable state of repair - properties
which fail to meet this criterion are those where either:
- one or more of the key building components (for example, roof
covering, electrical installation) are old and, because of their
condition, need replacing or major repair; or
- two or more of the other building components (for example,
bathroom, kitchen) are old and, because of their condition, need
replacing or major repair.
Has reasonably modern facilities - properties
which fail to meet this criterion are those which lack three or
more of the following:
- a reasonably modern kitchen (20 years old or less);
- a kitchen with adequate space and layout;
- a reasonably modern bathroom (30 years old or less);
- an appropriately located bathroom and WC;
- adequate insulation against external noise (where external
noise is a problem);
- adequate size and layout of common areas for blocks of
flats.
Provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort
- this criterion requires dwellings to have both effective
insulation and efficient heating.
More
information about the decent home standard (new
window) is available on the Department for Communities and
Local Government (DCLG) website.
How much help might I get?
Grants of up to £8,000 are available towards the cost of
eligible works. We will calculate the cost of eligible works,
usually from two independent estimates, up to the £8,000 maximum.
Up to £5,000 worth of insulation and heating efficiency
improvements above the decent homes standard can also be included
within the maximum figure. All lofts will need to have at least
150mm of insulation and any cavity walls that are capable of being
insulated, that are not to current building control standard,
should be insulated.
The grants are not means tested, they are a simple 100% grant of
the eligible cost up to the £8,000 maximum. Grants are not normally
given if the cost of works is less than £1,000.
Where the contractor is related to the applicant, or is a
company that the applicant (or member of his/her family) is a
director or employee of that contractor or company, the grant will
only cover the cost of materials used.
Do I have to repay the grant?
The grant will require conditions to be met relating to the
level of rent charged for the property. Details of these conditions
are given in a deed of agreement that you will need to sign. The
main requirement is that the property will be rented out at a
reasonable rent; based on the bedroom element of the Local Housing Allowance (the Grant Officer will
assess the applicable number of bedrooms). You will be required to
provide confirmation of this from time to time. If you fail to rent
at the agreed rent level the grant becomes repayable.
The grant is also repayable if you fail to provide documentary
proof of rent levels or if ownership of the property is
transferred.
How is the grant paid?
Payment will be made directly to the contractor carrying out the
works. This must be one of the contractors that originally
estimated for the work.
You will be asked to confirm your satisfaction with the work
prior to grant payment and the Council will only pay for works that
appear to be properly carried out. If you have a contribution to
make towards the cost of works this must be paid before any grant
money is issued.
How do I make an application?
Initial enquiries can be made by:
- Post or in person to - The Private Sector Housing Team, Suffolk
Coastal District Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12
1AU.
- Telephoning 01394 444506.
- Emailing
ps.housing@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
If we feel that you may qualify for a grant we will then arrange
to come and survey the property and provide you with an application
pack.
Further information
This page only gives an outline of the grant procedure. Full
details of the grants available, the process and conditions can be
found in Suffolk Coastal’s
Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy (new
window PDF 613KB).
Alternatively our team can be contacted at the address and phone
number shown above and will be happy to answer any queries.
All grants offered are subject to available budget
levels and must help to meet the Council’s strategic aims in
relation to housing
matters.