Assistance to owner-occupiers and tenants
Grants and loans are available for a variety of works to adapt, repair or improve your home to make it safe, warm and secure.
Minor works grant
A small grant of up to £2,000 is available to carry out eligible works. The grant is intended to remedy serious defects, which ensure the health and safety of the occupants. The grants can also be used to fund adaptations, which it would not be reasonable to fund under the disabled facilities grant.
The maximum grant is £2,000 in any three-year period. Applicants will need to be over 60 or have a long-term disability and, in either case, be in receipt of a means-tested benefit (excluding family tax credits).
Examples of work considered for minor works grants, include:
Repairs
- Repair/renewal of windows/doors/ceilings, which are in an unsafe condition
- Repairs to unsafe electrical installation
- Repair/renewal of other essential services, including hot water and heating
Adaptations
- Works to promote access to and around the home, including grab/hand rails etc.
- Energy efficiency measures
- Limited solar lighting
Home security measures
- Replacement door locks
- Door chains and in viewers
Renovation/Home improvement grants
These grants must be repaid if the property the grant is used for is sold within 25 years. The maximum grant is £12,000 (£2,000 in a mobile or park home) and applicants have to satisfy a means test.
Eligible works must deal with serious hazards or to make homes decent, such as:
All applicants must have lived in the dwelling as their only or main residence throughout a qualifying period of at least twelve months. The property must also be either; in Council Tax Band E or below. Enquiries falling outside these policies will be considered on an individual basis.
Heating and insulation grants
A variety of schemes are available for grant assistance to improve the heating in your home and provide additional insulation. These works are designed to make homes more energy efficient, protecting the environment and reducing fuel bills. For details on the schemes see our heating and insulation grants page.
Home Trust Loan
Applicants for grant who do not meet our criteria, may be eligible for a loan arranged by South Coast Moneyline, a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with Guildford Borough Council. A variety of loans are available, from £1 to £25,000. For further information see the Home Trust Loan page.
Disabled facilities grants
If you or someone living in your home is disabled, you may qualify for a disabled facilities grant (see separate page for further information). The grant is toward the cost of providing adaptations and facilities for the disabled person.
Renewable technology loans
We actively encourage the use of renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions. In order to develop this initiative and encourage further take-up of renewable technology, interest-free loans are available to assist with the cost of installation.
Further information on renewable energy is available on our climate change pages.
Assistance to landlords
Financial assistance for landlords is available.
Why offer assistance
We recognise that poor quality housing can have an impact on the health of the occupants and quality of life in an area.
The main responsibility for maintenance of a property lies with the homeowner, though some do not have the resources to keep their homes in good repair. This applies particularly to the elderly and most vulnerable, who can be helped through the grant process by our Care and Repair team.
Further details on all the types of assistance are contained in our full Home Improvement Policy [PDF ] (513k).
Community Care
Private Sector Housing Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444302
Email: privatesectorhousing@guildford.gov.uk