grants for a pensioner who owns home

elsien

Try Age Concern, they might be able to point him in the right direction. They usually have good local knowledge of what's around, and even if there are no grants they can recommend tradesmen who might do the work more cheaply for pensioners.
Have you also looked at the warm front scheme - it only helps with energy efficiency measures but if he can get help with keeping his bills down it might leave him a bit extra to do some maintenance.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energygrants/DG_10018661

The only other thing I can think of is a community care grant but that's more for furniture and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't meet the criteria anyway.

I know it's all the past and can't be changed now, but if he only bought the place several years ago (presumably when past retirement age as he's now 76), he really would have been better off staying as a tenant and letting the council foot the bill.
I'm just wondering whether he bought it because he wanted to have something to leave to his family (some people do) and if so whether any of them might be able to help him out?

Antispam

He might be better off selling as it sounds like it needs a lot of work. He could sell house obviously would be less due to work and maybe go in a council flat/housing association obviously have to pay rent. If he stays there he may face on going maintenance

My older brother sold his house went into housing association and now spends money on enjoying life he isn't retirement age either (had a cruise last year and Malta this year). You make sacrifices being a home owner I done with many things which others enjoy, holidays, new car etc thats my choice

Dollardog

margaretclare wrote: »

Probably yes.

In my experience, houses need constant attention if they're not to become shabby, uncared-for-looking and all the fabric of the house start to degenerate and fall apart.

I've lived in this 1930s bungalow for 21 years and in that time there hasn't been one year when it hasn't had something done to repair/update/maintain it, whether inside or outside.

Do you mean to say that in 39 years he hasn't done a darned thing?

Well this sounds pretty nasty to me, I'm just saying that not everyone is in a position to be able to afford to do repairs.
My central heating broke down about 4/5 years ago but I have not been able to afford to have it repaired, I have a hole in my kitchen ceiling where water came through when the hot water tank started leaking, a hole in the bathroom ceiling where I lost some slates and the rain came in, my hot water tap in the kitchen does not work, not that that matters anyway as there is no hot water anyway unless I put the immersion heater on, the house hasn't been decorated either inside or out for years, the window frames are all rotten and let the draught in, the list goes on.
Those that can afford to put money aside and do the repairs are lucky, because some of us, although wanting to do things, just haven't got the money

elsien

OP, just noticed you said he was in Northern Ireland.
It might be worth posting on the N.I part of the forum - people there might have some knowledge of any not for profit schemes that are around in that part of the world similar to the houseproud one.
Or of an organisation that could provide labour if he sorted materials, that sort of thing.

pmlindyloo

elsien wrote: »

OP, just noticed you said he was in Northern Ireland.
It might be worth posting on the N.I part of the forum - people there might have some knowledge of any not for profit schemes that are around in that part of the world similar to the houseproud one.
Or of an organisation that could provide labour if he sorted materials, that sort of thing.

This website might help:

http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/benefits/home_improvement_grants/grants_available.htm

minx_101

elsien wrote: »

Try Age Concern, they might be able to point him in the right direction. They usually have good local knowledge of what's around, and even if there are no grants they can recommend tradesmen who might do the work more cheaply for pensioners.
Have you also looked at the warm front scheme - it only helps with energy efficiency measures but if he can get help with keeping his bills down it might leave him a bit extra to do some maintenance.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energygrants/DG_10018661

The only other thing I can think of is a community care grant but that's more for furniture and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't meet the criteria anyway.

I know it's all the past and can't be changed now, but if he only bought the place several years ago (presumably when past retirement age as he's now 76), he really would have been better off staying as a tenant and letting the council foot the bill.
I'm just wondering whether he bought it because he wanted to have something to leave to his family (some people do) and if so whether any of them might be able to help him out?[/QUOTE

He probably would have been better of staying as a tenant as he would have had a bit of help from the council. As where family are concerned, he doesnt really have anyone else only me (his niece). I try to help him when I can as he doesn't know how to look into these things himself, thats why I am on this forum looking for a bit of advice. I have my own house and family to look after, but I would really like to help him.

minx_101

He probably would have been better of staying as a tenant as he would have had a bit of help fromthe council. As where family are concerned, he doesnt really have anyone else only me (his niece).I try to help him whenI can as he doesn't know how to lookintothese things himself, thats whyI am on this forum looking for a bit of advice.I have my own houseand family to look after, butI would really like to help him.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Dollardog wrote: »

Well this sounds pretty nasty to me, I'm just saying that not everyone is in a position to be able to afford to do repairs.
My central heating broke down about 4/5 years ago but I have not been able to afford to have it repaired, I have a hole in my kitchen ceiling where water came through when the hot water tank started leaking, a hole in the bathroom ceiling where I lost some slates and the rain came in, my hot water tap in the kitchen does not work, not that that matters anyway as there is no hot water anyway unless I put the immersion heater on, the house hasn't been decorated either inside or out for years, the window frames are all rotten and let the draught in, the list goes on.
Those that can afford to put money aside and do the repairs are lucky, because some of us, although wanting to do things, just haven't got the money

The above tells me that you either bought or live in a house that you cannot afford. Saying that isn't being nasty - it's being truthful!

It doesn't help people asking questions on this forum if people answering them aren't truthful in their replies for the sake of being 'nice'.

rotoguys

Dognobs wrote: »

Did you all not think about this when you bought (AT A DISCOUNT) your propertys?
Equaty Release seems the best bet!
It would not suprise me if the DWP has started giving out conservatory's now.

My house isn't an ex council house!! We bought it outright in 2003 when we downsized from a 5 bed to a 3 bed property.

As for equity release - I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole! You end up with interest being rolled up every year and could end up with the whole equity being taken at the end. Better to look for grants etc that are non repayable or maybe very low interest loans.

And what is wrong with asking about a conservatory.
We've already been shafted out of over £120,000 of Pension Credit payments that we never knew we could have had over the past 6 years!!

Antispam

You can get grants from some councils which they put a charge on your property well you come to sell