Home Repair Assistance
Home Repair Assistance (HRA) is available to help adapt, improve and maintain properties within Wealden.
Who can apply for an HRA?
The assistance is available to people who own their own homes, live in rented accommodation or have a long lease (for works which are not the responsibility of the landlord) or live in a mobile home.
Who will qualify?
The Applicant or his/her partner will need to be in receipt of one of the following income-related benefits:
- Guaranteed Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit or local housing allowance
- Council Tax Benefit
- Income Support
- Income Based job seekers allowance
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Working tax credit with an income below £15,460
- Childs tax credit with an income below £15,460
What works can be carried out?
The Council will consider applications for the following types of work:
- Removal of category 1 hazards as determined by the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System
- Eliminate or reduce significant category 2 hazards to an acceptable standard any significant health and safety issues which are a risk to the occupants
- To bring the dwelling up to the Decent Home Standard
- To move a dwelling that does not meet the Decent Home Standard towards decency
- For the provision of Wealden Lifeline equipment
- Top-up for a Warmfront Grant
Are there conditions attached to the HRA?
The assistance is not repayable for any amount under £500, where it is for work benefiting a disabled person, a private tenant, or if it for a Warmfront top-up.
If the assistance is more than £500, the assistance is registered as a local land charge against the property, interest free and the whole amount given is repayable in full on the sale, assignment or transfer of the property.
Where work is undertaken in respect of a mobile home/static caravan and the land upon which the home is sited is owned by another a local land charge cannot be imposed. It is a condition that the mobile home/caravan must remain the main residence of the applicant for at least 3 years from the completion of the grant aided work. The Council will seek to recover the assistance following non-compliance of this condition through a personal charge against the applicant
How much is the level of the assistance?
The maximum assistance limit is £5,000 per application, but must not exceed a cumulative total of £5000 in any 3 year period. The assistance is discretionary and each case will be determined on its individual merits. Generally the Council will only entertain one application per year unless there is a significant health and safety risk
Please note: If you start work before the Council approve the application, no assistance can be paid in retrospect.
I need some help with all of this?
Our local Home Improvement Agency - Anchor at Home works in partnership with the Council and can assist helping older people and people with disabilities, with support, advice and assistance. They can act as your agent throughout the process and will charge a fee, but this can be included in the assistance.
For further information contact:
Property Services Team:
Telephone: (01323) 443321
Fax: (01323) 443349
Minicom: (01323) 443331
Email: privatehousing@wealden.gov.uk
Anchor at Home:
Telephone: (01323) 441013