help with rewiring

madaboutmydogs

Hi, does anybody know if we can get help or a grant for the rewiring of our house. It is very old, my partner lost his job this week but doesn't want to sign on as he will self employed and I work part time. We have no savings and hardly any money coming in and we have a mortgage on the house. The mortgage company won't lend as we don't have the income to back it up. Thanks.

SailorSam

My Mum got a grant to part finance work she had done on the house including getting a re-wire but that was 'cos she was a pensioner at the time. Can't imagine you'd have much luck, you need to phone your local Council.

Dunroamin

Why has this only become so necessary since your husband lost his job?

Mara69

Dunroamin wrote: »

Why has this only become so necessary since your husband lost his job?

Because it might be free now!!

grummps

I'm going back quite a few years but the Council used to give grants away for this type of work. I know many that used the schemes to improve properties.

skintandscared_2

grummps wrote: »

I'm going back quite a few years but the Council used to give grants away for this type of work. I know many that used the schemes to improve properties.

I'd imagine that would be in the days when local councils, and the Government, actually had money available.

OP you should google your local council and see if there is anything, but to be fair I'd be surprised if there is. Considering the cuts that are being made to benefits of even the most vulnerable members of society, it would be odd to be offering taxpayers' money to modernise (and increase equity in) people's private houses.

grummps

skintandscared wrote: »

I'd imagine that would be in the days when local councils, and the Government, actually had money available.

OP you should google your local council and see if there is anything, but to be fair I'd be surprised if there is. Considering the cuts that are being made to benefits of even the most vulnerable members of society, it would be odd to be offering taxpayers' money to modernise (and increase equity in) people's private houses.

I've just done a quick search

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Planning/GrantsFundsAndStandards/DG_4001408

It seems that there is still money out there for those on limited income to update their property.

skintandscared_2

grummps wrote: »

I've just done a quick search

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Planning/GrantsFundsAndStandards/DG_4001408

It seems that there is still money out there for those on limited income to update their property.

hmmm, lots of words like discretionary, may, possibly, etc. And loan and equity release mentioned. Also, (being devil's advocate, sorry!) would a couple where one party has just lost their job qualify as a "low income" or priority household, where the change has literally just happened? Is it the taxpayers' fault that they didn't get the work done, or save for it, whilst employed?

As I said before, the OP needs to contact their own council and check their policies. They all will have different budgets and different criteria.

grummps

skintandscared wrote: »

hmmm, lots of words like discretionary, may, possibly, etc. And loan and equity release mentioned. Also, (being devil's advocate, sorry!) would a couple where one party has just lost their job qualify as a "low income" or priority household, where the change has literally just happened? Is it the taxpayers' fault that they didn't get the work done, or save for it, whilst employed?

As I said before, the OP needs to contact their own council and check their policies. They all will have different budgets and different criteria.

I'm a great believer that if there are grants out there, then you would be a fool to pay for it yourself instead of claiming the grant.

A friend, a teacher (single female), bought a large (6 bed) run down house with the intention of taking in lodgers to make money.
She looked round for grants from all sorts of wierd places - trusts, charities and the council, and ended up with a fully restored house that now brings in money and she still carries on as a teacher. Overall she put very little of her own money into the development. There were some drawbacks, like not being able to sell it for the full price until 5 years had elapsed but that does not concern her as it is purely a money making venture and will not be sold. She lives there for the time being until she finds something for herself.

skintandscared_2

grummps wrote: »

I'm a great believer that if there are grants out there, then you would be a fool to pay for it yourself instead of claiming the grant.

A friend, a teacher (single female), bought a large (6 bed) run down house with the intention of taking in lodgers to make money.
She looked round for grants from all sorts of wierd places - trusts, charities and the council, and ended up with a fully restored house that now brings in money and she still carries on as a teacher. Overall she put very little of her own money into the development. There were some drawbacks, like not being able to sell it for the full price until 5 years had elapsed but that does not concern her as it is purely a money making venture and will not be sold. She lives there for the time being until she finds something for herself.

I have to agree that if councils are literally giving money away then it would be foolish not to take it!

What frankly disgusts me is that they ARE giving money away like this! I'm sure your teacher friend is delighted with the fully restored 6 bed house that is "bringing in money", but for who? Her! Why should taxpayers subsidise her in that way?! The rent will enable her to "find something for herself" and she'll carry on renting out the huge house, raking it in in rent. Will she be donating some of that rent back to the charities that kindly enabled her to restore the house in the first place, I wonder?!

grummps

skintandscared wrote: »

I have to agree that if councils are literally giving money away then it would be foolish not to take it!

What frankly disgusts me is that they ARE giving money away like this! I'm sure your teacher friend is delighted with the fully restored 6 bed house that is "bringing in money", but for who? Her! Why should taxpayers subsidise her in that way?! The rent will enable her to "find something for herself" and she'll carry on renting out the huge house, raking it in in rent. Will she be donating some of that rent back to the charities that kindly enabled her to restore the house in the first place, I wonder?!

In a way I can agree with you, but like you said if there are charities/trusts/council out there that are handing out grants you would be a fool not to take advantage of them.

No, I don't suppose she is or has contributed anything back. She rightly sees it as finance with some drawbacks, one of which isn't giving them the grant back or any part of it.

She is only taking advantage of a scheme or schemes that are open to all and sundry who choose to apply.

Right off topic but until you actually start looking at these grants, I never believed that there was so much money out there just for the asking ranging from money for toys, holidays, furniture, etc etc. It is an eye opener!!