East Suffolk Council

Sizewell C Housing Grants

The Construction of Sizewell C will bring workers into the area who will be looking for accommodation in and around the surrounding areas of Sizewell. If you own your property and have a spare room, annexe, garage or property that could make safe and comfortable living space for a Sizewell C worker you may be eligible for a grant to assist towards getting the room/property up to a lettable standard.

All grants are subject to you obtaining the necessary Planning and Building Regulations approvals.

Minor Works Grants

Minor Works Grants of up to £3,000 per bedspace are available to bring an unused bedroom into use within an existing home to be accommodated by a Sizewell C worker.

Eligible works include:

• Redecoration
• New Floor coverings
• EICR & Electrical improvements
• Additional Heating
• Replacement Window/Secondary Glazing
• Hand wash Basin installed in the room

Works that will not be included within the grant include:

• Furniture
• Soft Furnishings
• Lighting
• Electrical Appliances

All works must be carried out by a suitable tradesperson as DIY applications will not be considered.

Accommodation must be made available to use for 5 years from date of completion.

The grant is subject to repayment in full if the accommodation is not available for use within the first 5 years of completion. Conditions will be linked to the property via a deed of agreement lodged as a local land charge.

Renovation Grants

Renovation grants of up to a maximum of £7,000 per bedspace are available to assist with the conversion of annexes, garages or non-residential buildings or conversion of existing homes into licensable standard HMOs (3 or more bedrooms) to provide safe & suitable residential accommodation for Sizewell C workers.

Eligible works include:

• Structural works to create a habitable space
• Electrical wiring
• Heating installations
• Windows & doors
• Plumbing & provision of Kitchen, Bath, Shower & Toilet facilities
• Additional parking areas
• Creation of Homes of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) to licensable standards

Works that will not be included within the grant include:

• Purchase of modular style structures such as Shipping containers, Log cabins, Caravans etc

Works must be carried out by a suitable tradesperson. DIY applications will not be considered.

The grants will be subject to conditions which will be linked to the property via deed of agreement lodged as a local land charge.

The Grant will be subject to repayment if the accommodation is not available for use for the first 10 years from the date of completion.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Where a current valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is not in place we can help towards the cost of obtaining one. In addition to this up to a maximum of £2,500 can be applied for to carry out recommended works towards the property obtaining an EPC rating of C*

^{*All available Government and OFGEM promoted grants must be applied for first, where available.}

Check to see if your property is within the current eligible area

Currently we are looking to provide grants for properties within a 30 minute drive to Sizewell C and that fall within the East Suffolk Council area. To check if your property would fall within this area please click here: Sizewell C Travel Times.

Please note that this area is under constant review and the area may change throughout the process of construction depending on take up, demand and the completion of travel link projects. It is worthwhile keeping an eye out for any changes to the map intermittently. Any change to our current area of focus will be updated on the map.

Further queries or to apply

To make further enquiries please email us at: szchousinggrants@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.

Please include your name, address and preferred contact details along with the address of the property you are looking to obtain a grant for and a brief description of the accommodation you are hoping to offer e.g room to let, room with ensuite, apartment, flat, house or HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy).

Accommodation will need to be advertised on the Sizewell C Accommodation Management system once works have been completed. For further information on the Accommodation Management system please visit: Advertise or Find Accommodation for Sizewell C in Suffolk.

Additional links and Documents

All enquiries to szchousinggrants@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

Advertise or Find Accommodation for Sizewell C in Suffolk

Rent a room in your home: The Rent a Room Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

HS223 Rent a Room Scheme (2024) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the funding come from for these grants?

As part of the Deed of Obligation, Sizewell C have provided mitigation funding to East Suffolk Council to cover a vast range of areas, of which housing has been included.

How do I let my property out?

Once works are completed you will need to advertise your property on the Sizewell C Accommodation Management system. It will be your responsibility to advertise the property and look for a tenant for the property.

Advertise or Find Accommodation for Sizewell C in Suffolk.

How does my grant get paid?

Once your quotes have been submitted and authorised the works will need to be carried out and Invoices submitted to us by your contractors. Your contractors will be paid directly by us once the works have been inspected and all parties are happy the works have been completed to a good standard.

I’ve submitted an enquiry. What happens next?

Once you have made contact with us we will be in touch to discuss your enquiry. If you decide you would like to apply for a grant, application forms will need to be completed and our Technical officer will arrange to visit you at the property to discuss if proposed works are viable and if there may be any additional works that need to be considered.

If the proposed space is deemed suitable for the provision of accommodation to a Sizewell C worker we will provide you with a schedule of eligible works and ask you to obtain quotations from qualified and reputable trades people to carry out the works. Once your quotes have been received you will need to submit these to us for approval.

You will be sent a Deed of Agreement to sign and return to us. Once your grant has been approved you can arrange with your contractor for works to be carried out. Once works have been completed our Technical Officer will visit to check that works have been carried out per the quotation approved and to a satisfactory standard. Invoices will then be submitted to us by your contractors for payment and we will arrange payment directly to your contractors.

What happens when the construction of Sizewell has finished?

Once your grant condition period has expired or the construction of Sizewell C has been completed, you are free to rent out your space on the open rental market or occupy the space yourself or sell your property with no repayment required.

What if I cannot get a Sizewell C tenant?

As a condition of the grant we expect that the property will be made available for rent to Sizewell C workers via the Sizewell C accommodation management system and every effort should be made to obtain a tenant that works for Sizewell C.

If the property has been advertised on the system for some time and no let has been successful you should consider whether your advert needs amending to appeal better to workers looking for accommodation, Is the amount you are requesting for Rent too high?  If every effort has been made to obtain a Sizewell C tenant but you have been unsuccessful, please make contact with us to discuss this matter further.

My works have been completed, What happens now?

You will need to advertise your property on the Sizewell C Accommodation management system: Advertise or Find Accommodation for Sizewell C in Suffolk.

It is your responsibility to look for a suitable tenant and maintain the property to a good standard as a responsible landlord.

We will contact you Annually to complete a short questionnaire about the property asking whether the property is being occupied by a Sizewell C worker or whether it is currently being advertised. It is your responsibility to notify us if the property becomes unavailable for occupation by Sizewell C workers as condition of the grant.

I am in receipt of Single Persons Discount/ other Benefits. If I take in a lodger will this affect my entitlement?

Please seek advice from Council tax or Benefits to discuss whether taking in a lodger will affect your entitlement. Please call 0333 016 2000 and ask for the relevant department.

Citizens Advice Bureau can also provide information on how taking in a lodger may affect your Benefit entitlement. Please visit their webpage Citizens Advice or email them at advice@caes.org.uk.

How much rent can I charge?

You are responsible for the setting your own tenancy terms and pricing, and we are unable to advise you what you should be charging. However, it is your responsibility to look for and obtain SZC workers to accommodate your property. As part of the terms and conditions of the grant we do require you to provide this accommodation to SZC workers. Therefore, if you are struggling to find SZC tenants, your accommodation is of good standard and is located within a good distance of SZC we would recommend that you have a think about your tenancy terms and pricing and consider whether the rent you are asking for may be higher than other accommodation of a similar standard in a similar location.

I have a query regarding Planning Permission. Who do I contact?

Any queries regarding planning permission should be sent to: dutyplanner@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.

Can I use the grant toward the costs of providing a modular unit as accommodation in my back garden?

The grant would not be approved for the purchase of the modular unit itself. However, the grant can be used towards the cost of providing facilities to the unit (Water/ Electricity/ Sewerage) or improvements inside the unit to make into a habitable space (Installing bathroom/Kitchen etc).

What is an HMO?

HMO stands for House in Multiple Occupancy. A HMO is a property which is occupied by a number of people that are not living together as a family unit. A small HMO that houses 3 or 4 people from different households will not require a licence. However, if obtaining a renovation grant to create a small HMO it would need to be renovated to a licensable HMO standard as a condition of the grant. Larger HMO's that house 5 or more people from different households will need to be licensed. For more information on HMO's and licensing please visit Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) » East Suffolk Council.