All You Need to Know About Home Improvement Grants
Whether you are planning for an upgrade in the form of a house renovation or want to adopt energy efficient mechanisms, or if your plan is to just make small repairs to a part of your house, you must know that there are aids in the form of grants.
In this article, we shall unravel all that is available as government grants and other financial assistance that can help you unburden a huge chunk of your expenses.
In this article, we shall unravel all that is available as government grants and other financial assistance that can help you unburden a huge chunk of your expenses.
If you are living in the UK then you know how nerve-wracking it is to take up a home upgrade. Escalating construction and material costs, shortage of labour, and disruptions in the supply chain process, all have made the common man think twice before taking up home improvements. Home improvement grants is not a sporadic initiative that has come up in recent times, recognising the homeowners present day crises of cost-of-living.
In fact it was in 1949 under the ‘Housing Act’ where home improvement grants were first introduced. While in 1949 it was only an initiative to direct local authorities to drive grants to homeowners, the second time in 1959 under the ‘House Purchase and Housing Act’ was where the real push started. The 1959 act was a mandate for local authorities to provide grants to improve houses, and till today the power and funds have only expanded.
Why are Home Improvement Grants Critical?
Home improvement grants not only benefit an individual or a homeowner, in fact there is a knock-on effect to it that benefits the whole society. Let’s see how –
Unfortunately, the last two decades have experienced turbulence in terms of fund cuts for home improvement. There has been a serious lacuna in driving support for home improvement grants to an extent of up to £2 billion cuts in funds.
What are the Implications of Fund Cuts?
Grant cuts from government have direct implications on the standard of living of the people compelling them to live in sub-standard or unsafe homes. They not only have a direct impact on the people, but also on the surrounding as a whole.
In 2021-2022 about 3.5 million people lived in unsafe homes. This means 14% of the households did not meet the Decent Homes Standard. Nearly 1 million households are currently declared as non-decent, and most of its owners have crossed the age of 60 who are struggling with low standard of living or are battling health issues due to the sub-standard quality of homes.
According to data from the National Energy Action nearly 40 people everyday succumb to cold homes especially during winter.
Homes are termed unsafe when they fail to meet certain criteria of the Decent Homes Standard which are as follows –
- Homes with cold interiors or those that lack insulation
- Homes that are vulnerable to category hazards
- Homes that need repair
- Homes with outdated sewage and sanitary facilities
- Homes that are vulnerable to electrical or fire hazards
How Do Grants Benefit a Society?
As homeowners/landlords there is part where you help yourself unburden from a huge financial crisis when you push for home improvement grants. The other part is where lies your responsibility for energy efficient homes.
- By reversing the effect of cold homes or by fixing unsafe homes, you are directly impact by improving the lives of many in terms of longevity for life and health.
- With reduced health risks and self care, there will be a drastic reduction of people standing in queues or waiting days for appointments to healthcare centres. This is will further reduce the burden on healthcare as a whole.
- A report from Centre for Ageing Better suggests that up to 100,000 new jobs can be created and that the country can surge with a £10 billion annual economy boost when a government drives home improvement grants.
Home Improvement Grants You Must Know
The home improvement grants in the UK were aimed to help low-income households who cannot afford adherence to the decent homes standard in view of making their homes more energy efficient. While there are grants for home repairs, and for people living with disability; a major chunk of the home improvement grants are focused mainly towards securing energy efficient homes.
Let’s take a look at the types of grants and who they benefit –
Energy Efficiency Grants
When it comes to energy efficiency, in the UK there are four main grants that apply to households that adopt various energy conservation measures in the form of heating upgrades, insulation, and use of renewable energy sources.
1. ECO (Energy Company Obligation) Scheme
The ECO scheme sees to it that energy companies are obliged to support households that are categorised as economically vulnerable or are low-income households.
What and how much does the scheme cover?
The support from energy companies is mainly driven towards installation of heating equipment, aiding a cavity wall insulation or a loft insulation whichever is applicable.
The coverage can range from £7,000 to £25,000 depends on the type of property, household income, EPC rating and other such factors.
You’re Eligible If..
- If your energy supplier is part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
- If you are residing in a property that is electricity heated.
- If the property you are residing has a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower.
- If your combined household income does not cross £31,000 Or
- Any one member of the household is receiving benefits including Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit Guarantee, Job seeker’s allowance, etc.
2. Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
If you are a property owner residing in England or Wales, then you may be eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme launched in the year 2022. This scheme aims to replace depreciated and non-energy efficient heating systems that are carbon based or for example gas boilers with energy efficient heating systems such as the heat pump.
What and how much does the scheme cover?
- Eligible households will get compensated up to £7,500 for both air-sourced heat pumps and water-sourced heat pumps
- A compensation of up to £5,000 will be covered if you plan to install a biomass boiler
- If you are a resident of Scotland, you will be eligible for a grant of up to £7,500 if you are in an urban settling and 9,000 if you are in a rural area
You’re Eligible If..
- If you possess a EPC and are consistent in maintaining certain insulation standards towards the installation of heat pumps.
- If you have an existing fossil fuel heating (oil, gas or electric) system.
3. The Great British Insulation Scheme
One of the recent initiatives is the Great British Insulation Scheme launched in 2023. The scheme mandates energy suppliers both small and large across the UK to help eligible properties/households adopt energy efficient measures.
The UK government has entrusted Ofgem to monitor and oversee the implementation of the scheme with regard to adherence to compliance and other regulatory directives.
What does the scheme cover?
- The scheme offers discounted or even free insulation installations to eligible households.
- Insulations that are covered include, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, roof insulation, solid wall insulation,floor insulation, park home insulation, etc.
You’re Eligible If..
- If you fall under low-income strata
- If your EPC rating is D or below
- If you are residing in a home in council tax bands category (A-D) for England and category (A-E) for Wales & Scotland
4. Local Authority Flexible (LA Flex) Scheme
An extension of the ECO scheme, the LA Flex scheme focuses on accommodating energy efficient measures under the directions of local authorities.
What does the scheme cover?
Installation & upgrading of central heating systems, free boiler replacements, insulations, etc.
You’re Eligible If..
In this scheme, local authorities set the eligibility criteria and they do it based on the needs, property type and related criteria.
Other Important Energy Grants
1. The Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Payable for electricity or gas bills during winter.
- A rebate of £150 towards energy bills will be given to you if you have a standard credit meter.
- If you have a prepaid meter, you will then be sent a top-up voucher.
- You’re eligible if you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit.
- Automatic eligibility if you’re a resident of England or Wales.
- You need to apply if you’re a resident of Scotland.
2. Winter Fuel Payment
- A cost of £200 to £300 will be provided for eligible households.
- If you are an eligible pensioner or anyone in your household is a pensioner, you automatically qualify for the scheme.
3. Child Winter Heating Payment
- Children in Scotland who receive disability benefits are eligible.
- Disabled Scottish children and their families facing escalating heating costs during winter qualify.
- Paid annually a sum of up to £251.50.
4. Cold Weather Payment
- Intended for senior citizens of England, Wales, and Norther Ireland.
- Eligible for those areas where there is zero temperature recorded or below between 1st November to 31st March.
- £25 will paid when an area record a seven-day sub-zero week.
Other Home Improvement Grants
Disabled Facilities Grant
If you or any of your family member is suffering from a disability, you will then be eligible for a grant on the grounds of seeking increased accessibility. These may be in the form of adding spaces such as ramps, expanding doorways, etc.You may need to qualify for a means test to be eligible for the grant. You may eligible for up to £36,000.
Conclusion
There are a lot more schemes, incentives, and loans are waiting to come into force in the coming years. The point however is to be aware and follow such government measures studiously to reap maximum benefits.
If you are a low-income household owner then there is a great chance of your qualification.
If you are a tenant there are chances as well, but get it checked with your landlord/houseowner to avail such benefits.For more such recent and authentic updates follow us at Extension Architecture.
For more such recent and authentic updates follow and contact us at Extension Architecture.
