Private Sector Renewal Grants
North and West Kent Private
Sector Renewal Partnership
As one member of a consortium of 8 Kent local
authorities, Ashford Borough Council secured limited monies through
the South East Regional Housing Board, to improve private sector
housing by means of repayable grants and loans.
The monies will be available for 2009/10 and 2010/11.
There is a possibility that further resources will be available in
subsequent years.
A total of 11 key activity areas are covered, many of which
relate to energy efficiency (including renewables) and the decent
homes agenda. The main grants are as follows:
Decent Homes Grant
Grants up to a maximum of £10,000 for works to
bring your property up to the Decent Home Standard. They can
include repairs and improvements, including replacing old bathrooms
and kitchens. These grants are means tested. Please contact us for
further details.
First Time Buyer Grants
Grants to a maximum of £10,000 for works to
bring your property up the Decent Homes Standard. The property will
need to have been bought within the last 12 months by any
owner/occupier who has not owned a property before.
Landlord Decent Homes
Grant
These grants are for improvement and repair
works to existing rental properties or towards costs of conversion.
They are for 50% of the cost of work to bring the property up to
the Decent Home Standard up to a maximum of £10,000.
Properties that have been empty for more than
six months may qualify for up to 100% grant, to a maximum of
£15,000. Please contact us to find out the conditions that apply to
these grants.
Landlord Private Accredited Letting
Grant
On joining our free property accreditation
scheme (PAL), landlords gain access to grants for certain energy
improvements, including replacement of existing gas boilers up to
£3,000.
Heating and Insulation
Grants
There are grants available for providing wood
fuel boilers/stoves in off gas areas and also for improving
insulation standards in hard to heat homes (e.g. solid walls).
These grants are administered by the Energy Savings Trust Advice
Centre and are available to owner/occupiers and landlords. Please
contact them on 0800 512012 for further
details.
Coldbuster Grants
Owner occupiers and private tenants meeting
certain criteria may be eligible for free home insulation and
heating. Please contact the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre on
0800 512012 for further details.
Please note: All grants are subject to terms
and conditions. Some are repayable upon sale of the property. For
full details on the eligibility criteria and conditions for each
grant please refer to the
Private Sector Renewal Policy or call 01233
330688.
Further information on these initiatives are available upon
request to the Private Sector Housing Section of Housing Services
on 01233 330 339.
The local authority offers a comprehensive
help and advice service in respect of home improvements generally
and also supports the Ashford Home Improvement
Agency - the local home improvement agency which assists
older, vulnerable and disabled owner-occupiers undertake
improvements, repairs and adaptations, enabling them to remain in
their own homes in comfort, safety and with independence. For
more information see the
In Touch HIA East Kent website.
This webpage was updated on
12/9/2010