Roof repair grants?

Rev

Long shot I know but does anyone know of any grants or loans that may be available for roof repair?

Started leaking last year after a storm and I've tried to save but it's just not happening. I'm on ESA. I don't have sky etc. don't smoke or drink. Don't eat out. And have nothing to sell on eBay. Everything I had that was worth anything has already been sold to cover other things. And I got rid of sky, the landline etc. So I've no way of raising cash and nowhere to cut costs.


It's a terrace house and apparently it's at the join between this house and next that something needs fixing. Don't know the exact names sorry.



Tried the house insurance because it started right after a storm but they won't help, they sent a surveyor around who said it isn't storm damage despite the storm causing it? They did say that because it's at the join it's both mine and the neighbours responsibility. But since the house is empty that's no use either.


So currently I have a leak in my bedroom ceiling and no way of repairing it.


So am wondering if there's any form of grants available for those on a low income? I'm in Liverpool. I have googled but can't find anything.


Any advice is appreciated thanks.

phill99

If you ate over 65 try Age Uk. If you are ex service personnel, the Royal British Legion may be able to assist.

Rev

Thanks.

Not me I'm afraid. 30 years to go for 65 yet haha.

GwylimT

Have you looked to see who owns the property next door?

Rev

GwylimT wrote: »

Have you looked to see who owns the property next door?

I wouldn't know how to do this.


There was a tennant there a while back but one morning the house was raided, he was taken away by police and I've not seen him since.

G_M

Rev wrote: »

I wouldn't know how to do this.


There was a tennant there a while back but one morning the house was raided, he was taken away by police and I've not seen him since.

£3 to the Land Registry here

If it is the lead flashing in the gulley between the 2 roofs, or something similar, then
a) the cost should be shared
b) even if you do or pay for the work yourself, you should comply with the Party Wall Act (since you are working on your neighbour's property.)

The cost for a bit of flashing should not be much, but clearly the first step is to get 3 roofers round (or even an odd job man if it's a small problem) for quotes. Have you done this yet?

I doubt there are grants - why should anyone else (eg taxpayers) pay to repair your house? My car needs fixing but noone will pay for my garage bill!

Insurance. There is a big difference between 'routine maintenance of wear and tear' which you pay for as part of home ownership, and 'storm damage' which can be insured against. Without more detail it's impossible to comment on which it is, but for example

* did one or more roof tiles fall off during the storm? That's storm damage
* did water start leaking though a corroded or old bit of flashing? That's wear and tear that just happened to result in a leak during the storm because.... lots of water fell from the sky and came through the hole that was already there!

Rev

£3 to the Land Registry here

If it is the lead flashing in the gulley between the 2 roofs, or something similar, then
a) the cost should be shared
b) even if you do or pay for the work yourself, you should comply with the Party Wall Act (since you are working on your neighbour's property.)

Thanks, will check that out.

The cost for a bit of flashing should not be much, but clearly the first step is to get 3 roofers round (or even an odd job man if it's a small problem) for quotes. Have you done this yet?

Yes, cheapest quote was £250

I doubt there are grants - why should anyone else (eg taxpayers) pay to repair your house? My car needs fixing but noone will pay for my garage bill!

Thanks, I appreciate you assuming I'm some scrounger expecting handouts all the time. And that I don't feel like absolute crap having to post and ask this. I have paid tax my entire life thanks. So cheers for making me feel even worse. I hope someone does the same for you should you ever have a change in circumstances and be left with nothing.

Insurance. There is a big difference between 'routine maintenance of wear and tear' which you pay for as part of home ownership, and 'storm damage' which can be insured against. Without more detail it's impossible to comment on which it is, but for example

* did one or more roof tiles fall off during the storm? That's storm damage
* did water start leaking though a corroded or old bit of flashing? That's wear and tear that just happened to result in a leak during the storm because.... lots of water fell from the sky and came through the hole that was already there!

Yes, I figured that. It's the latter.

societys_child

Some (maybe all?) councils can offer loans in these circumstances.

Contact yours, they maybe able to help.

google: council loan to do repairs or something similar.

G_M

Rev wrote: »

Thanks, I appreciate you assuming I'm some scrounger expecting handouts all the time. And that I don't feel like absolute crap having to post and ask this. I have paid tax my entire life thanks. So cheers for making me feel even worse. I hope someone does the same for you should you ever have a change in circumstances and be left with nothing.

No need to take it so personally - I was trying to be factual with my answers, and was simply explaining why a grant was unlikely.

Though societies child suggests I may have been wrong.

NeverInDebt

only thing I can find on LC web site is a handy service

https://www.liverpool.gov.uk/housing/adapting-or-improving-your-home/handyperson-service/

Dont think it applied for roofing but worth baring in mind for other repairs you only pay for materials if your disabled or over 50

I know my council offered grants but you had to pay them back via chargeback on your home but that would be for more extensive repairs

Rev

I now have the owners name and address from the land registry.

I assume I write to him explaining the issue? No idea how in supposed to word it.


But what do I do if he
A) Doesn't reply.
replies telling me to get lost/he doesn't care.