Home repairs loan

Interest free loans of up to £30,000, designed as a top up to the home repair grant.

The maximum loan amount £30,000 (A maximum of £40,000 is available if awarded in combination with the home repairs grant). Where eligible works or the applicants assessed contribution are evaluated to be more than £5,000, the applicant will be assessed for a housing repair loan only, up to a maximum of £30,000.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be over 18 years old and live at the property as their main residence and be on a low income. Applicants will be subject to a means test or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. Applicants must also satisfy one of the following criteria:

be aged 60 years or over
be disabled
have a member of their household who is 60 years or older, children who are under 16, or someone who is disabled or has a long term serious illness
applicants are in receipt of a low income or in receipt of passporting benefits
must be an owner occupier freeholder or leaseholder of a property that is more than ten-years old
applicants must have owned and resided in the property as their main home for three-years immediately preceding the application
applicants must live in the property as their main home at the time of application

What this loan can fund

repairs for category 1 and 2 hazards as assessed by the Council under the HHSRS
installation full gas central heating with a condensing combination boiler, or low-carbon alternative where appropriate
replacement boilers that are past their life span and in poor condition
installation 270mm loft insulation and cavity wall insulation (where appropriate).

For full information on the grant and conditions, please read the Housing Assistance Policy.

How to apply

To make an enquiry or to start the loan application process email: grantsandloans@lewisham.gov.uk or call our Private Sector Housing Agency on 020 8314 6622.

To find out if a disabled person is eligible for a visit and assessment by an Occupational Therapist, contact the Community Occupational Therapy service direct on telephone 020 8314 7777.

Before the Council can decide whether to approve or refuse a housing assistance application, the applicant must submit a valid application. A valid application will consist of completing and submitting the following documents:

an application form
an owner-occupation certificate or tenants certificate
proof of ownership from the owner or landlord
proof of earnings or benefits
if the applicant is a tenant, written confirmation from the owner that they agree to the work being carried out
two quotations from legitimate building contractors
details of any professional fees and/or other ancillary charges
if the applicant has a long term serious illness, the Council may require a medical report from the applicant’s GP or consultant

Where necessary, the applicant may be required to submit further supporting documentation or information to help the Council reach a decision.

Contact

Housing Assistance Team

Telephone:

020 8314 6622

Email:

grantsandloans@lewisham.gov.uk

Published on: 01/08/2023