East Suffolk Council
Renovation grants for first time buyers
Renovation grants are discretionary grants for the repair or improvement of private homes. To assist first time buyers in East Suffolk grants of up to £15,000 are available towards the cost of eligible works.
Who is eligible?
- Applicant(s) must be buying their first home and where there is more than one purchaser this condition applies to both.
- Applications must be submitted within two years of the date of transfer of the property to the applicant.
- Grants are available for houses that are in Council Tax bands A or B.
What works can be considered?
- Works to remedy serious health and safety hazards. This could include electrical rewiring, first time central heating where the existing heating is inadequate or remedying significant damp and structural issues.
- Significant repair works costing more than £1,000.
How much help might I get?
Grants of up to £15,000 are available towards the cost of eligible works. Your eligibility for a grant will be dependent upon your savings and current mortgage borrowing. In order to be eligible, first time buyers should have borrowed 80% of the market value of the property and not have more that £7,000 in savings.
We will calculate the cost of eligible works, usually from two independent estimates. Grants are not normally given if the cost of works is less than £1,000 and, if the builder is related to you or you are carrying out the work yourself, the grant will only cover the cost of materials.
Do I have to repay the grant?
There are conditions that you will have to sign up to which require you to own and live in the property for the next 20 years. If you do, then you do not have to pay anything back.
If you sell, transfer the property or move, then you have to pay back the grant, but it will be interest free unless you break some of the conditions. For instance, you will be charged interest if you provide false or misleading information, or if you do not repay the grant within six months of a demand. Full details are in the deed of agreement that you will be required to sign.
How is the grant paid?
Payment will be made directly to the contractor carrying out the works. This must be one of the contractors that originally estimated for the work. If you are carrying out the works on a materials only basis we will reimburse the costs when presented with a valid and appropriate invoice.
You will be asked to confirm your satisfaction with the work prior to grant payment and the council will only pay for works that appear to be properly carried out. If you have a contribution to make towards the cost of works this must be paid before any grant money is issued. Grant can be paid for materials where you do the work on a DIY basis. This does not apply to controlled works such as gas or electrical installations, which must be carried out by a competent person.
How do I make an application?
Initial enquiries can be made by calling our Private Sector Housing Team.
If we feel that you may qualify for a grant we will then arrange to come and survey the property and provide you with an application pack.
Further information
All grants offered are subject to available budget levels and must help to meet the Council’s strategic aims in relation to housing matters.