Help with essential house repairs

GirlFromMars_2

Sorry there isn't more I can do to help solve your immediate Electricity Bill, but a couple of things to think about in the future.

You say you receive ESA, but mention nothing about PIP. Have you applied? Do you meet the PIP descriptors? If you meet the descriptors PIP would increase your income.

As others have said, being able to pay for repairs to your home is essential.
- Can you sell up and downsize considerably to somewhere with minimal running costs and maintenance costs?
- Some Housing Associations offer a Shared Ownership Option where the monthly rental (for the share they own) also covers repairs to the property. If you are entitled to Housing Benefit this would cover the rent/maintenance. There are lots of different schemes around, I'm not sure any would allow you to remain in your current home though.

Good luck finding some immediate help.

[Deleted User]

equity release if you are over 55 (think thats the age)

WannaBLoaded

What is 2300, the whole rewire? Where in the country are you?

While i have sympathy, i also don't and don't really think grants should be avaiable for people who own their own home.

Sell up, rent somewhere habitable.

Or, if you have enough equity out of the sale to buy something modest and more livable, do that...

If your house is one of those that's never had a bean spent on it you'll find that you need to spend 20 grand or more and no grant will give you that.

Mojisola

WannaBLoaded wrote: »

While i have sympathy, i also don't and don't really think grants should be avaiable for people who own their own home.

That's your opinion but there are grants available. Friends of mine got help through the Anchor Trust to replace some windows and repair their roof.

giddypenguin

While i have sympathy, i also don't and don't really think grants should be avaiable for people who own their own home.

Why not? Could be cheaper for the taxpayer in the long run if OP moves into rented and claims HB...

kittygirl20

WannaBLoaded wrote: »

While i have sympathy, i also don't and don't really think grants should be avaiable for people who own their own home.

.

Yeah, cos those who have been claiming HB for years rather than working hard to own their own place are much more worthy of course.....

Sympathies OP, I hope you can find a solution that works for you.

fed_up_and_stressed

http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2010/08/02/policing-benefit-bashing-in-the-forum-valid-debate-or-hate-crime/?_ga=1.126675150.252265302.1441563885


This part of the forum is suppossed to be about helping people get their entitlement - not judging others. :money:

leveller2911

No reason why home owners who can't afford to maintain their property shouldn't qualify for grants as long as a 2nd charge is placed on the house so the state recoups the costs plus interest later down the line.

As others have mentioned, in the long term it may well be cheaper than the alternatives of sheltered housing or residential care.

HappyMJ

onenonblonde wrote: »

Hi.

I own my own home outright and have lived there for eight years. I am single and have hardly any relatives. My house is over 100 years old and needs quite a few repairs. I am on ESA due to two different medical conditions.
Recently I discovered that my electrics needed attention ( found this out accidentally while having another repair done) and on further investigation it transpires that they're in such an appalling state that a large amount of work is required just to make them safe. In the meantime I have no lights as my lighting circuit was disabled to keep me safe.
The bill from the elecrician is £2,300. I only have £1,000 to my name, so the remainder will go on my credit card but I don't know how will pay it off if my funds are wiped out and my weekly income is £112.

So, does anyone know of anywhere I can apply to for a grant for essential repairs to keep me safe? My local council don't do home improvement grants, nor do any of the charities listed at Turn2Us. I've spent all day researching this and drawn a blank. This is my last resort so am hoping someone on here has an answer please!!

Chuck it on the credit card get it sorted.

Make the minimum repayments no matter what. Take a cash advance if you need to.

When you die the house will be sold and the credit card paid off.

As you said you've got no relatives so I assume that means children which you could have asked and who would inherit your estate.

Selling the house will disqualify you from benefits (as you'll have more than £16,000 in cash) so I wouldn't do that. You would not get housing benefit until you ran out of money.

Mojisola

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

I had a charge against my house when social services put in a chair lift although I paid £3500 (half) the cost myself. The charge lasted for 3 years in case I sold the house.

When my parents had a disabled facilities grant to put in a level access shower, the charge stayed on the house for five years.

It stops people using a grant to do up their house and then profiting by selling it.