Home Adaptations and Improvement Grants

The Adaptations and Improvements Team deals with a range of financial assistance available to homeowners and tenants to carry out repairs, improvements and adaptations to their property. They also give help and advice regarding the grants policy and procedures.

This includes the completion of any paperwork, obtaining estimates from a list of approved contractors, requesting legal or specialist reports such as electrical reports, damp proof course assessments or structural reports.

The service has a list of approved contractors, from which estimates are obtained for grant aided works and all works are supervised "on site" where applicable. A final inspection of the work is made once practically complete and any defects rectified before payment is released. All works must comply with current Building Regulations and relevant certificates supplied.

There are 2 types of assistance that are currently available for Rotherham residents:

Disabled Facilities Grant

Essential Works Grant

With the exception of Disabled Facilities Grants, all other forms of assistance are discretionary. This means that there is no legal entitlement to assistance from the Council. The Council will make a decision on whether it can award any assistance to a householder based on the amount of funding that it has available and the policy for giving such assistance that is in operation at the time.

Due to reductions in funding for discretionary grants over recent years, the Council is currently operating a prioritised waiting list for those seeking grant assistance for repairs and improvements. However, if there are any defects that are so severe as to be likely to cause an imminent danger or a severe risk to the health and safety of the occupants, we would seek to deal with those enquiries as a priority, where possible.

The Council needs to be satisfied about each of these matters and the overall feasibility of the works, if they are to give a Disabled Facilities Grant. A local Council can refuse a Disabled Facilities Grant if they believe the scheme is not practical.

When do I find out if the grant has been approved?

The Council must give you a decision in writing within 6 months of receipt of a completed valid application and of any additional information they may require.

If you need further information, please contact the Adaptations and Improvements Team:

Tel: 01709 823799

Email: adaptationsteam@rotherham.gov.uk