Home Improvement and Repairs Grants

Since 1 October 2003, the Council has made grants available for people under the categories listed below. The property in either of these categories may be privately owned or rented from a private landlord.

Do I qualify for a grant?

You may qualify for a grant if you meet any of the following criteria:

You are disabled and require adaptations to your home:
In order to apply for a grant under this category, you will need to be assessed as requiring this adaptation by an Occupational Therapist employed by Social Work Services. You can ask for an assessment at your local Social Work office. If you have already been assessed by an Occupational Therapist as requiring an adaptation, you will be eligible to apply for a grant under this scheme.
You live in a property which is below the tolerable standard:
A property is classed as below the tolerable standard where it lacks any one or more standard amenities (such as an inside toilet, bath/shower, hot and cold water, sink or wash basin or suitable facilities for cooking food) or it is substantially affected by rising damp or dry rot.
Common repairs:
This would apply where a major repair is needed to the common part of a building in common ownership.
You have lead plumbing which needs replacement:
This would apply only where the water supply has a lead content above the World Health Organisation Standard. Mains water supplies do not normally fail this standard.

How do I apply for a grant?

For more information and advice on making an application, please contact:

an Occupational Therapist, based in your local Social Work office.
the Private Sector Housing Grants Team
Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells, TD6 0SA
Tel: 01835 825080

Will I qualify for a grant?

In order to calculate the grant payable, we will ask for information about your finances. Depending on your financial assessment you may receive a part or the full cost of the work. If you disagree with your financial assessment you have the right to appeal. Your Occupational Therapist can assist you to make an appeal. You will be eligible for a minimum of 50% of the cost of the work regardless of your finances providing you are assessed as needing the adaptation by Social Work Services. If you do not want to provide information about your finances you will still be eligible for 50% of the cost of the work. The maximum grant payable for an individual application is £20,000.

More information

More information can be found in the following leaflets:

'Improve Your Home with a Grant – A Guide to House Improvement and Repairs Grants'
This is available from the Scottish Government (this link will take you to another website).
Information about home improvement and repairs grants (pdf 58.8Kb).