Frequently asked questions
Who is Helping Hand?
Helping Hand is a service set-up and run by your local Council in conjunction with a local 'Home Improvement Agency', where these exist. The service is run on a non-commercial or 'not-for-profit' basis. Providing loans for those in need across the north east region ensures a consistent standard of service for you, regardless of where in the north east you live, and because of the large scale, helps the Councils to provide this service in the most cost effective way. You will always have a local advisor, employed in either your local council or your local Home Improvement Agency to help you to access the service.
What can the loans be used for?
The purpose of the loan is to help you to improve the warmth, comfort, safety and security of your home. It could be used to;
The survey of your home will identify the works that your home needs. Your local Council is keen to help as many needy people as possible and so getting essential works done will take priority. Your local advisor will be happy to discuss the result of the survey of your home, and will make clear for you the works that financial help will be available for.
- Make essential repairs
- Provide a new kitchen or bathroom
- Install double glazing
- Renew the electrical wiring
- Provide a new and efficient heating system
The survey of your home will identify the works that your home needs. Your local Council is keen to help as many needy people as possible and so getting essential works done will take priority. Your local advisor will be happy to discuss the result of the survey of your home, and will make clear for you the works that financial help will be available for.
What kind of loans are available?
There are options available depending on your personal financial circumstances;
- A low-interest repayment loan may be for you if have spare money available each month. The loan can be tailored, up to a maximum of 15 years to make sure that repayments are affordable. The low interest rate makes it one of the cheapest ways available for this kind of borrowing, and the rate is fixed throughout the term of the loan, so that you will always know exactly how much you will have to repay.
- A loan that uses the equity in your home and that needs no repayments until you choose to sell your home or when it is inherited by a member of your family. This loan may be suitable for you if you have no spare money each month to make repayments. The loan is linked to the value of your home, with the amount that you repay depending on whether the value of your home increases over time. If your home does not increase in value between the time that you receive the loan, and the point at which you choose to repay, you repay the same amount as you borrowed. If the value of your home does increase, this increase in value is shared with the council.
- An interest free loan that needs no repayments until you sell your home or when it is inherited by a member of your family. This loan is for those who are most needy.
How do I know whether I am eligible?
If you are on a low income and are struggling to afford to pay for home repairs you may be eligible. You may have recently become unemployed, been turned down already for a loan by your bank or building society, or you may have a poor credit rating.
Information about your financial circumstances will be compared to the results of a survey of your home. We will have a look to see what work is required, calculate what the work will cost and help you to determine whether you can afford it. Understanding what is wrong with your home, and what it may cost to put it right is the first step – we may be able to help you see that you can pay for the works yourself.
If you can’t, and you have owned and lived in your home for more than one year, one of the Council’s affordable loans may be offered to you. Independent Financial Advice will be available to help you to consider your options and to make a decision.
Information about your financial circumstances will be compared to the results of a survey of your home. We will have a look to see what work is required, calculate what the work will cost and help you to determine whether you can afford it. Understanding what is wrong with your home, and what it may cost to put it right is the first step – we may be able to help you see that you can pay for the works yourself.
If you can’t, and you have owned and lived in your home for more than one year, one of the Council’s affordable loans may be offered to you. Independent Financial Advice will be available to help you to consider your options and to make a decision.
I am a private landlord, is my rented property eligible?
Give your local advisor a call to find out. If you are a private landlord in the north east your local Council will be able to provide you with advice and practical support to help you to make sure that both the property and tenancy are properly managed. They will be able to help you to understand tenants rights and responsibilities too.
Financial help for landlords differs between each local Council but may include help; for empty property owners to improve the property so that it can be rented out. As a landlord you may have an empty flat, perhaps with an empty shop below. If you have had difficulty letting these financial help may be available to convert these into one home.
Financial help may also be available to improve the energy efficiency of the rented property or to improve the standard of the property beyond the statutory minimum.(Some Councils will provide landlords with financial help to encourage properties to meet a local ‘accreditation standard’. This kind of financial help is sometimes limited to members of local landlords associations or forums).
Financial help for landlords differs between each local Council but may include help; for empty property owners to improve the property so that it can be rented out. As a landlord you may have an empty flat, perhaps with an empty shop below. If you have had difficulty letting these financial help may be available to convert these into one home.
Financial help may also be available to improve the energy efficiency of the rented property or to improve the standard of the property beyond the statutory minimum.(Some Councils will provide landlords with financial help to encourage properties to meet a local ‘accreditation standard’. This kind of financial help is sometimes limited to members of local landlords associations or forums).
What are the benefits to me?
- A full survey of your home is carried out
- You will receive advice on what work is required
- You will be put in touch with builders and contractors
- Independent Financial Advice will be available should you need it
- The Council will help to oversee the work that is carried out
- You have the reassurance of knowing that your loan is provided by the Council on a not-for-profit basis
How much can I borrow?
You can borrow between £500 and £35,000, depending on the cost of the works that are required to your home. The survey of your home will show what needs to be carried out, and will make clear for you the works that financial help will be available for.
How do I repay the loan?
Depending on which type of loan is right for you, you might repay monthly, or not until you choose to sell your home or when it is inherited by a member of your family. You will know this at the beginning so there are no surprises.
Are there any hidden costs?
There are no charges to pay to receive or ‘arrange’ the loan and no penalties if you choose to repay the loan early. The Council subsidises the loan in order to make it affordable. If the work to your home is complex and needs planning permission, building control approval or specialist surveys, charges for these can be added to your loan so that you do not have to pay anything upfront.
If I meet the eligibility criteria am I guaranteed a loan?
Unfortunately you're not. Although providing Helping Hand loans means that the Council can recycle money, enabling them to help more needy people, there isn't limitless money and it can run out during the year. You must get in touch however, understanding how many people need help provides the Council with the evidence that will help to attract more money to continue to fund the service.
Where does the loan come from?
The Council works with a not-for-profit specialist lender to provide you with a loan. Their lending experience and qualification mean that you won't be offered a loan that you are unable to repay. The money comes from a combination of sources – all striving to help to improve health, housing conditions and to help people to live independently at home.
Is my local Council part of this scheme?
Eleven of the Councils in the north east offer Helping Hand loans. If your Council is included, you will have seen their recognisable logo flash on the left hand side of this page. To find out how to get in touch, enter your postcode, or if you don't know your postcode, click on the green box to the right hand side of the page. You can then choose the name of the area that you live in.
How do I apply?
Get in touch with us using the contact details provided if you haven’t already. You must get in touch before you start any work to your home. We will be happy to arrange an appointment to visit you in your home at a convenient time to discuss your requirements. If you don't know your postcode click on the green box to the right hand side of the page. You can then choose the name of the area that you live in.