Home improvements - Home Improvement Grant

Home Improvement Grants are discretionary 'means tested' grants awarded to properties in need of substantial improvements or repairs in order to make them fit to live in. These grants only apply to domestic dwellings, but this could include a privately owned flat.

* Means testing is the process of looking at a person's income and wealth to see if they are entitled to something.

The type of work that might be considered for a Home Improvement Grant would generally be large scale such as severe damp throughout the property, inadequate kitchen or bathroom facilities or serious disrepair to the general structure.

Who can apply for a home improvement grant?

These grants are available to:

Applicants over 18 who can prove they have owned the property for 3 years prior to application, or
Qualifying tenants with repairing obligations
Properties within council tax bands A-D
Properties constructed or converted prior to 31st Dec 1964

How much grant will I receive?

For owner-occupiers and qualifying tenants, contributions are means tested and subject to a maximum grant of £30,000.
For landlords, contributions are 50% of the cost and subject to a maximum grant of £15,000.

All applicants must comply with grant conditions for five years following completion of grant.

How to apply

If you think your property might be eligible for a Home Improvement Grant and you can apply online.

Apply for a housing grant online

Alternatively, you can call Private Sector Housing on 01495 235216 or email privatesectorhousing@caerphilly.gov.uk.

Following your enquiry, an Environmental Health Officer will visit your property and decide whether it would qualify for a grant of this kind.

You will be contacted in writing to confirm the decision of the officer within several days of this visit, however it is usual that the officer will advise you verbally at the time whether the application is likely to be successful or not.