Urgently need a new roof - is there such thing as financial assistance?

Munkee2

Hi all,

My house (which I own) was built in the 1940s and the roof hasn't been touched since. I've lost around 100 tiles and just watched with dismay as another one flew past the kitchen window.

I've got 5 professionals out for quotes and been quoted as low as £2700 and as high as £4570 for a new roof. The existing roof cannot be repaired.

I'm considered disabled due to fibromyalgia and other health conditions besides, and in receipt of ESA and DLA. I was wondering if I might be entitled to some kind of interest free loan or grant towards home repairs please. I can't really afford to pay outright.

Has anyone been through anything similar? What did you do?

Many thanks in advance.

phill99

Welcome to th world of home ownership.

firefox1956

phill99 wrote: »

Welcome to th world of home ownership.

Now that's a VERY helpful post.
In fact, I would find it quite rude to be honest......
I do hope the OP receives some more helpful advice.

Silver-Surfer_2

firefox1956 wrote: »

Now that's a VERY helpful post.
In fact, I would find it quite rude to be honest......
I do hope the OP receives some more helpful advice.

Why not give them some, instead of trying to moderate?

silverwhistle

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

Why not give them some, instead of trying to moderate?

I saw your name on the thread and won a bet with myself that you'd be your usual negative and sarky self. What have you contributed to the threaf then?

OP, are you a member of any groups (ex-military, large employer) with welfare funds? Some local and specialist charities may give grants; can't remember the website that lists them but somebody will. Could you take a lodger for 6 months or so (the finite term makes it more bearable!)? Find a local college with a roofing course and see if you could be their practice, and offer good publicity into the bargain?

busybee100

You could try your local council. Ours used to do loans which had to be paid back if you sold within a certain time. I can't remember the details as we decided to remortgage but it's worth asking, although it's probably one of the things that's been cut back.

shaun_from_Africa

You may be able to get some sort of financial assistance from your local council but even if this is possible, I can't imagine that it will be a quick process.
At the very least you really need to get one of the roofing companies you have contacted to try to secure the remaining tiles and to cover the gaps to ensure that no water gets into your house.

Munkee2

silverwhistle wrote: »

OP, are you a member of any groups (ex-military, large employer) with welfare funds? Some local and specialist charities may give grants; can't remember the website that lists them but somebody will. Could you take a lodger for 6 months or so (the finite term makes it more bearable!)? Find a local college with a roofing course and see if you could be their practice, and offer good publicity into the bargain?

Thank you for your reply. I'm not a member of any such groups, no. I can't take a lodger either as I don't have a spare room. I could try contacting the local colleges, definitely. Thanks for your advice

Munkee2

busybee100 wrote: »

You could try your local council. Ours used to do loans which had to be paid back if you sold within a certain time. I can't remember the details as we decided to remortgage but it's worth asking, although it's probably one of the things that's been cut back.

Thanks BusyBee. I'll contact the local council on Monday and see if there's anything they could suggest. I'll let you know what they say

Munkee2

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

You may be able to get some sort of financial assistance from your local council but even if this is possible, I can't imagine that it will be a quick process.
At the very least you really need to get one of the roofing companies you have contacted to try to secure the remaining tiles and to cover the gaps to ensure that no water gets into your house.

Thank you. That's a very good idea actually, regarding covering the gaps! I'll do that.

Mojisola

The Anchor Trust runs a scheme called Staying Put which helps people find grants for essential home repairs and will oversee the work.

See if there is one in your area - http://www.anchor.org.uk/search