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Help with improving your home

If your home is affected by disrepair or dampness or it lacks basic facilities, the District Council may be able to help.

The District Council produces a Housing Renewal Strategy which sets out how it intends to help improve homes, adapt homes for the disabled and help tackle the housing problems identified in the privately owned housing in the area.

The Government and local Councils are working towards a “decent home for all” which means all homes: -

i) meet the current statutory minimum standard for housing:

ii) are in a reasonable state of repair:

iii) have reasonable modern facilities and services; and

iv) provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.

Officers at the Local Council will provide you with information and advice about housing matters generally and details of any financial help which may be available.

Financial assistance can take the form of grants, loans and equity release. Some of these types of assistance may still be under development.

East Devon District Council have a commitment to helping the people in greatest need. That means those living in the poorest conditions with the least ability to tackle the problems themselves.

Typically, Council priorities will include: -

  • Repairing and improving unfit homes.
  • Improving heating and energy efficiency.
  • Minor repairs and adaptations for elderly occupiers.
  • Improving home security for elderly occupiers.
  • Discretionary help with disabled adaptations.
  • Assistance to bring empty homes back into use.
  • Providing adequate fire precautions and amenities in houses in multiple occupation.
  • Reducing Radon levels in homes.

Home Improvement Agencies

Home improvement agencies are independent charitable organisations providing a service to assist older people and disabled people to maintain or adapt their home. All the local Councils in Devon support Home Improvement Agencies and if you need help completing application forms, obtaining estimates for building works, supervising building works or enquiring about other sources of financial help, they will assist.

Page last updated on 24 May 2012