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Keeping a private house or flat in good condition is mainly the owners’ responsibility. It is in their interest to make sure that necessary repairs and improvements are carried out, to keep the home in good condition and maintain its value. The Council recognises that some people cannot afford to pay for the work needed to keep their home in good condition. Grants are available from them to help people living in owner-occupied or privately rented housing to meet the costs of having their homes repaired, improved or adapted. There are other schemes which can help with making your home more energy efficient, such as home insulation and draught proofing. There are also Care & Repair projects and Handy Person schemes aimed at disabled and older owners and private renters.
Repair and Improvement Grants
There are two main types of grant – Improvement and Repairs. The type of grant available will depend on the kind of work you are planning to carry out. The grant system is administered by the Highland Council. Their website has detailed information on grants including eligibility and how to apply for grants. See below for contact information.
Repair grants are also mostly discretionary awards. These grants cover items such as repairs to the fabric of the building (roofs, gutters, etc.), the eradication of rot and for lead plumbing replacement. Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 the Council is obliged to assess whether applicants can fund the work from their own resources.
Improvement grants are made available at the Council's discretion to bring privately owned property, which is assessed as being Below the Tolerable Standard (BTS), back into good condition and permanent residential use for at least 5 years after the grant is paid. They are not mandatory grants. The maximum grant that can currently be awarded is £20,000. The actual award will depend on the applicant’s resources.
In certain exceptional circumstances the Council may be prepared to apply to the Scottish Ministers for permission to pay out Improvement Grants at a higher level, where extensive works are required to bring a house up to the standard required.
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Adaptation Grant
Grants may be offered to assist in adaptation of a property to meet the particular needs of a disabled person. The Council is obliged to make an offer to help meet the costs of installing essential items – like a bath, shower, WC or wash hand basin for the exclusive use of a disabled person. The minimum grant available is 50% of the approved expense limit for each essential item.
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How to Apply for a Repair, Improvement or Adaptation Grant
- Technical Officers will be happy to provide information and guidance on what grants may be available. Their contact details are below.
- If requested, officers can visit to assess the grant-eligible improvement works required and explain the application process etc.
- The applicant submits an application form with a set of plans for the work, estimates from builders and the title deeds to the property.
- The time it takes to approve a grant application varies from area to area, number of priorities and available budgets.
- Once approval for the renovation work has been received by the applicant, the building work is expected to be completed within 12 months.
- The work in progress is inspected by the Council's Technical Officers.
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Who can apply?
- The owner of a house should usually be the person who applies for a grant for improvements or repairs.
- If you are a tenant speak to your landlord about applying for a grant.
- Agricultural and crofting tenants are treated as owners in relation to grants.
- A tenant can apply for a grant in some cases, depending on the type of works and the terms of their lease. Contact the Council for details.
- Life-renters can also apply if they are responsible for the planned works.
- A disabled person can apply for a grant for works to adapt their home to meet their needs, even if they are not the owner or tenant.
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More information
This is a short summary of grant information. More detailed information is available on The Highland Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk or from TEC Services (contact information below).
The Scottish Government also has a leaflet called "An applicant's guide to improvement and repair grants". You can access it under "External Links"
Contact Information
Information about grant is available from the local TECs Offices:
Email: tecs@highland.gov.uk
Badenoch & Strathspey
Environmental Heath Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
Council Offices, Ruthven Road
KINGUSSIE PH21 1EJ
Tel: (01540) 664528
Fax: (01540) 661004
Caithness
Principal Environmental Heath Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
Council Offices, Market Square
WICK KW1 4AB
Tel: (01955) 607737
Fax: (01955) 606376
Inverness
Technical Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
21 Church Street
INVERNESS IV1 1DY
Tel: (01463) 703968
Fax: (01463) 703986
Lochaber
Technical Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
Fulton House, Gordon Square
FORT WILLIAM PH33 6XY
Tel: (01397) 707002
Fax: (01397) 707009
Nairn
Technical Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
The Courthouse, High Street
NAIRN IV12 4AU
Tel: (01667) 458540
Fax: (01667) 458547
Ross & Cromarty
Technical Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
Ross House, High Street
DINGWALL IV15 9RY
Tel: (01349) 868440
Fax: (01349) 863510
Skye & Lochalsh
Technical Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
Tigh na Sgire, Park Lane
PORTREE IV51 9GP
Tel: (01478) 613817
Fax: (014478) 613867
Sutherland
Technical Officer
The Highland Council TEC Services
The Meadow
DORNOCH IV25 3SG
Tel: (01862) 812027
Fax: (01862) 811146
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Grants for Central Heating and Insulation
The Council's Energy Advice Centre can give information on grants available for central heating and insulation.
Can I get grants from fuel suppliers?
Scottish Power, Scottish Hydro Electric, and Scottish Gas all offer grants to their customers, regardless of income. This is for home insulation and towards the costs of upgrading heating systems, to make them more energy efficient. They also run various discount schemes promoting the use of energy efficient appliances and lighting. These initiatives are funded under the Energy Efficiency Commitment, and are designed to help consumers use energy more efficiently. The status of these grants changes regularly, so for up-to-date information contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 for details.
Energy Advice Line
Highland Energy Efficiency Advice Centre gives free and independent advice and information. They can give advice on:
- Cutting your heating costs and fuel bills
- Dealing with dampness and condensation
- Making improvements to your home so that it is more energy efficient
- Different heating systems and how they work (to help understand which heating system best meets your needs)
- Grants that may be available to help meet the costs of improvements such as central heating and insulation
- Selecting fuel suppliers and switching to the best payment method
- Using renewable technology for heating and hot water system
Contact them on Freephone 0800 512012 (mobile networks may charge for this call)
Energy Advice information is also available on the Council’s website.
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Care and Repair
Care and Repair exists primarily to assist elderly and disabled people within the private sector to improve their homes. It is a confidential service which provides free information, advice and practical assistance. Care and Repair can assist by:
- Organising surveys and drawings
- Obtaining prices for work
- Applying for Improvement and Repair Grants
- Applying for loans or other funding
- Organising the works
- Approaching other agencies who may be able to provide help
What works can be carried out under the scheme?
Any works can be considered which are necessary to improve a home lived in by elderly or disabled people. As well as general improvements these could include:
- New windows and doors
- Re-wiring
- Alterations to suit particular needs
- Central Heating
Where can I get more information?
The Care and Repair service is delivered by a number of agencies on an Area basis.
Badenoch & Strathspey
Care and Repair
Cairn Housing Association Ltd
Cairn House
Waterloo Place
Inverness IV1 1LU
Tel: 01463-220666
Caithness
Pentland Housing Association
37-39 Trail Street
Thurso KW14 8EG
Tel: 01847-892507
Inverness
Care and Repair
Cairn Housing Association Ltd
Cairn House
Waterloo Place
Inverness IV1 1LU
Tel: 01463-220666
Lochaber
Lochaber Housing Association
30 Fassifern Road
FORT WILLIAM
Inverness-shire PH33 6XQ
Tel: (01397) 702530
Nairn
Care and Repair
Cairn Housing Association Ltd
Cairn House
Waterloo Place
Inverness IV1 1LU
Tel: 01463-220666
Ross & Cromarty
ILM Highland
Unit 1G
Teaninich Industrial Estate
ALNESS IV17 0XS
Tel: (01349) 884774
Skye & Lochalsh
Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association
Morrison House
Bayfield
PORTREE
Isle of Skye IV51 9EW
Tel: (01478) 612035
Sutherland
ILM Highland
c/o Highland Council Service Point
Main Street
LAIRG
Sutherland IV27 4DB
Tel: (01549) 402679
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‘Handy Persons’ Schemes
Handyperson projects provide practical help with small tasks around the home which may be difficult for older people or those with a disability. They aim to fill the gap between major home improvement work and home support services such as home care arranged by the Council’s Social Work Services.
They can provide helpful advice for people who require tradesmen to undertake small repairs. For example, those jobs which are not eligible for assistance via the local Care and Repair Scheme.
They can also offer information on energy efficiency and on housing options should people’s needs change in the future. They can put people in touch with whichever Council Service or other agency can help the most.
How the Project Works
The handyperson has a van equipped with tools and can undertake odd jobs and small repairs. They may also be able to offer general information and advice. If they don’t know the answer to a question, they can get in touch with someone who does.
These are some examples of the types of tasks which are carried out:
- Fit battery operated smoke alarms
- Fit hand rails
- Clear pathways around the house (not gardening)
- Fit curtain rails and hang curtains
- Move furniture within the house and fit shelves
- Replace tap washers and unblock sinks
- Replace light bulbs, replace plugs and change fuses
- Re-putty windows
- Repair/replace access gates
How much is charged?
No charge will be made for the handyperson’s time or travel expenses, but clients will be charged for the cost of any materials required for the work.
Contact Information
There are Handy Person projects in four Areas. Contact the scheme in your area:
Caithness
Pentland Housing Association,
37-39 Trail Street,
Thurso KW14 8EG
Tel: 01847-892507
Ross & Cromarty
ILM Highland
Unit 1G
Teaninich Industrial Estate
Alness IV17 0XS
Tel: 01349 – 884774
Skye & Lochalsh
Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association Morrison House
Bayfield
Portree
Isle of Skye IV51 9EW
Tel: 01478-612035
Sutherland
ILM Highland
c/o Highland Council Service Point Main Street
Lairg
Sutherland IV27 4DB
Tel: 01549-402679
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