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Home improvement grants for private householders

Local authorities have a great deal of flexibility and freedom in providing discretionary assistance for repairs and adaptations. It is also for the local authority to decide the circumstances in which to give discretionary assistance, what form that assistance may take (eg, grants, loans, equity release schemes etc) and what, if any, conditions to attach.

The local authority will be able to tell you what policies they have in place to address private sector renewal in your area.

Other housing assistance

A council is also able to provide other sorts of assistance; for example helping someone move to more suitable living accommodation if it is satisfied that this would provide a similar benefit to improving or adapting the existing accommodation.

Local councils may also give discretionary assistance in addition to the mandatory disabled facilities grant.

Any assistance given must be in accordance with the council's published policy on housing renewal.

For further information, contact the Environmental Health or Housing Department of your local council.

• More about the Disabled Facilities Grant (disabled people section)

• Adapting your home (disabled people section)

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts