| e housing market slowing and remortgages becoming | | | | If you do not qualify for a grant, bear in mind that some |
| more difficult to arrange, a lot of homeowners are | | | | adaption work, such as widening doorways or creating |
| rethinking their plans to move. So for those people | | | | ramps, is VAT-free. |
| who wont be upgrading to a new home, heres | | | | Energy efficiency assistance |
| some info on obtaining grants to upgrade the home | | | | Some councils will provide money to insulate lofts or |
| youre already in. | | | | cavity walls, and all utilities companies offer similar |
| Council funding for home repairs | | | | assistance to help make your home more energy |
| Grant amounts and eligibility criteria vary according to | | | | efficient. |
| the area that you live in, but in general up to £5,000 is | | | | The Home Heat Helpline can offer advice for those |
| available for improvements such as: | | | | struggling to pay utility bills. If you dont qualify for help |
| " Replacing kitchens or bathrooms | | | | with your gas and electricity bills but are still keen to |
| " Providing new windows, or repairing existing glass or | | | | save money on utilities, try switching gas and electricity |
| frames | | | | provider to see if you can make savings. |
| " Solving damp problems | | | | There are also several government bodies set up to |
| " Fixing roofs | | | | offer assistance with installing a new heating system, |
| Lending criteria can be tough, and homeowners will | | | | or improving your existing system, for people who are |
| usually have to be receiving certain benefits to qualify, | | | | on certain benefits. Up to £2,700 (or £5,000 for |
| but its worth chasing up your local council for further | | | | oil-fired central heating) is available from the following |
| details just to be sure. | | | | bodies: |
| Heres a tip: its best to apply for council grants as | | | | " Warmfront (England) |
| near as possible to the beginning of the financial year | | | | " Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Wales) |
| as thats when their pot of money is fullest. Apply | | | | " Warm Deal (Scotland) |
| towards the end of the fiscal year and the pot may | | | | " Warm Homes Scheme (Northern Ireland) |
| already be empty. | | | | Other home improvement tips |
| The home improvement agency for your area can | | | | " Live in a listed building? Funds for Historic Buildings |
| also offer advice on help available and assistance with | | | | can help you find money for improvements to your |
| grant applications. | | | | home. Dont forget that many approved alterations will |
| Disabled facilities grant | | | | be exempt from VAT. |
| All local councils are required to provide assistance for | | | | " Dont start work until youve investigated the grants |
| disabled people to live independently in their own home. | | | | available: money is rarely available retrospectively. |
| Grants of up to £30,000 (subject to means testing) | | | | " Saving money on your home insurance will also free |
| cover areas such as: | | | | up money that could be used to improve your home. |
| " Allowing access to the bathroom or kitchen | | | | " Dont forget to inform your home insurance provider |
| " Ensuring that cooking facilities are at the right height | | | | when youve got the builders in to ensure you have |
| " Moving light-switches or thermostats to the | | | | adequate buildings and contents insurance whilst onsite |
| appropriate level | | | | work is being carried out. |