Improve Your Housing Conditions

Sometimes owners of properties may require financial assistance towards improving their properties that are not considered suitable to meet today's standards.

We are able to offer a number of different types of grants and loans, some of which the Council has to make available (mandatory) and others are at the Council's discretion (discretionary).

Any assistance offered is subject a limited amount of money available, and to a means test - we will assess your income, savings and assets to make sure that any financial help is offered to those who really need it.

All of the grants and loans with the exception of the minor repair grant are secured as a local land charge and a land registry charge against your home if you are an owner/occupier and may be repayable in the event of the property being sold, transferred or no longer required by the applicant.

With all grants/loans, conditions will be applied and you should make sure you are aware of these before proceeding with any works.

If you are a tenant of a housing association or registered social landlord then you may only be eligible for a disabled facilities grant. However, you should contact your landlord direct to see if they are able to meet your needs.

Demand for assistance always outstrips the supply of money the Council has available so your case may be placed on a waiting list. Priority will be given to those cases assessed as most urgent. For disabled facilities grants this is based on the date of any recommendations received from the occupational therapy service at Essex County Council and the priority they set, for example critical is the most urgent, and these will be prioritised over and above all else.

For a brief explanation of each type of assistance and what works it may be used for, the amounts that can be applied for and the conditions that may apply please go to the type of grants and loans page of this website. A ten step guide to private sector housing assistance is also available.

More specific information about types of disabled facilities grants is available as well as a ten step guide to disabled facilities grants (DFGs).

I need some help with this . . .

Applying for assistance can be quite daunting and we suggest that you use an agent from our approved agents list who will be able to guide through the process. They will liaise between the Council and the contractors, prepare all the paperwork and ensure that any works are completed to a high standard.

A grant or loan cannot be approved until we have received the application pack and supporting evidence. You may be liable for any charges the agent has incurred. Providing a grant/loan is offered we can include their fees within the grant/loan sum of up to 10% of the approved cost of works. For example, if the cost of works approved is £1,500 we would allow up to £150 of the agent's fees. You will need to check if your agent is agreeable to this. Some agents may charge over and above this allowed amount. You can contact the agents for an informal discussion before appointing them. 

If you require any further help or advice, please contact us.