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

Mojisola

I've no personal experience of these people - http://filt.org.uk/ - but they may be worth speaking to.

Nilrem

As said local councils will have assistance under certain circumstances via their private housing department.
Usually it'll be to do with your income, any benefits and if anyone in the property is disabled.

One of my friends had help to replace part of his roof a few years back because he was disabled and couldn't afford it, from memory they basically put a loan of up to £5k on the property that had to be paid back if he sold or transferred the house within 5 (or was it 10) years.

wealdroam

Munkee2 wrote: »

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.

Do you have a mortgage?

If so, maybe your lender could add the repair cost to the existing mortgage.

Furts

My local authority does a trusted trader type of service. They are direct employees who in between their council call outs will do any job from changing a tap washer to whatever at reasonable prices. Do you have a similar scheme where you live? Being local authority these people will be used to dealing with hardship issues.

Adjacent areas had a two, or more, Care and Repair schemes operating doing jobs specifically for people like you. I have not had dealings with them in recent years so over to you to see if anything exists where you are.

Munkee2

wealdroam wrote: »

Do you have a mortgage?

If so, maybe your lender could add the repair cost to the existing mortgage.

Yes, I have a mortgage but adding £5K to the mortgage is probably one of the most expensive ways to do it. I'm aware that it is an option however. Thanks for your reply

Munkee2

Furts wrote: »

My local authority does a trusted trader type of service. They are direct employees who in between their council call outs will do any job from changing a tap washer to whatever at reasonable prices. Do you have a similar scheme where you live? Being local authority these people will be used to dealing with hardship issues.

Adjacent areas had a two, or more, Care and Repair schemes operating doing jobs specifically for people like you. I have not had dealings with them in recent years so over to you to see if anything exists where you are.

Thank you. I'm out of the country at the moment but when I get back I will find out ASAP.

wealdroam

Munkee2 wrote: »

Yes, I have a mortgage but adding £5K to the mortgage is probably one of the most expensive ways to do it. I'm aware that it is an option however. Thanks for your reply

I would suggest that adding £5000 to your mortgage would be one of the cheapest ways of getting that money.

I do understand however, that you are hoping someone will give you the money for nothing.

marleyboy

OP, it might be worth taking a look here..
http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/housing-grants

moneyistooshorttomention

Local Councils used to give partial grants for something as essential as a roof replacement if income was too low to pay full cost. Dont know if they still do. It was an extension of someone on income support would get the full cost of a replacement roof covered (ie because their income was too low to cover any of it) - though, again, I dont know if that has fallen victim to the Cuts.

If thats a possibility - then they would want agreement from your mortgage-holder (goodness knows why - as replacing the roof helps keep the property the mortgage is on saleable....).

jc808

Do you need a new roof though? Can the old one not be repaired? Even getting the flashing fixed/ tiles back on (Even if the battens underneath/ roof timbers etc. are a bit rotten or past their best) will make a world of difference.