How can we help?
Advice and Practical Support
It is easy to feel daunted by the prospect of undertaking any work to your home, you may be worried about 'cowboy builders' or even what to ask for. Avoiding carrying out maintenance can make a problem in your home worse, and can even lead to bigger bills later. Lack of maintenance or repairs can affect your health and safety, and can have a negative affect on the value of your home.
Your Council, together with your local 'Home Improvement Agency' where this exists may be able to help you, even if you are not eligible for any financial help to;
To find out about the service your Council provides, whether there is a Home Improvement Agency in your area and how they can help you, enter your postcode to identify your local advisor or take a look at the national Home Improvement Agency website; http://www.foundations.uk.com/home
Your Council, together with your local 'Home Improvement Agency' where this exists may be able to help you, even if you are not eligible for any financial help to;
- Identify what is wrong with your home, and what is needed to put it right
- Understand how to carry out home maintenance, preventative and improvement works or access the local ‘Handy Person’ Service where this exists and you are eligible for help;
- Work out what the work may cost if a contractor is required, and to investigate the options for funding the work, this may include help to consider charitable or family funding, use of insurance cover, or how an Independent Financial Advisor may be able to help;
- Choose a suitable contractor and to get fair estimates for the work, and to manage the contractor while works are being carried out.
- Decide whether staying put or moving home offers the better solution for your needs
To find out about the service your Council provides, whether there is a Home Improvement Agency in your area and how they can help you, enter your postcode to identify your local advisor or take a look at the national Home Improvement Agency website; http://www.foundations.uk.com/home
Financial Help
If you are struggling to afford to keep your home safe and comfortable to live in, an affordable loan may be available. The loan could be used to;
Helping Hand can provide you with a loan that can be paid back in affordable instalments over many years, or a loan that is paid back when you choose to sell your home or it is inherited by a member of your family. It may even be interest-free depending on your circumstances.
If you take out a loan, the Council will help you to choose a suitable contractor, to get fair estimates for the work. The Council will inspect the standard of the work and pay your loan to the contractor directly so that you don’t have to worry.
- Make essential repairs
- Provide a new kitchen or bathroom
- Install double glazing
- Renew the electrical wiring
- Provide a new and efficient heating system
Helping Hand can provide you with a loan that can be paid back in affordable instalments over many years, or a loan that is paid back when you choose to sell your home or it is inherited by a member of your family. It may even be interest-free depending on your circumstances.
If you take out a loan, the Council will help you to choose a suitable contractor, to get fair estimates for the work. The Council will inspect the standard of the work and pay your loan to the contractor directly so that you don’t have to worry.