The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 was introduced to improve the standard and condition of private sector housing, and the way in which local authorities interact with homeowners in order to deliver and maintain high quality private sector housing.

Scheme of Assistance for Homeowners and the Private Rented Sector

As part of the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, Dumfries & Galloway Council has developed a  Scheme of Assistance [130kb] to assist private homeowners and private tenants.

These changes reflect the fact that ultimately owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing their properties and recognise that public money should only support owners' repairs where it is strictly necessary or where no other alternative exists.

Grants for housing repair works are now much more limited. Therefore other types of assistance such as information, advice, practical assistance and financial assessments are available. Information leaflets will be produced in due course, in the meantime please contact the Strategic Housing Team for more information.

BTS grants and Lead pipe replacement grants are currently only available to home owners who actually occupy the relevant property as their main home and has been their main home for the previous 6 months and are subject to the applicant completing the relevant application pack, a financial assessment and funds being available at the time the application pack is returned. The  means test info sheet [51kb] outlines what is looked at when completing the test and the  how much grant could I get [110kb] sheet shows what percentage of costs may be covered in relation to their applicable income.

BTS Grants

BTS grants may be available to home owners for significant breaches of tolerable standards such as :

• The main fabric of the property is structurally unstable
• There is not an adequate supply of wholesome water and does not have a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water within the house.
• Does not have a water closet or waterless closet available for the exclusive use of the occupants of the house and located within the house.
• The property Is not substantially free from rising or penetrating damp
• Does not have a fixed bath or shower and a wash hand basin, each provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water and suitably located within the house
• Does not have an effective system for the drainage and disposal of foul and surface water.

The status of each of these elements will require to be assessed and confirmed by the relevant Council Officer

The Council has also set additional qualifying criteria for BTS Grants. We will not provide financial assistance if:

• The property is not the applicant's only or principal home, or
• The applicant has not lived in the house for at least six months, or
• The owner acquired the house knowing its condition with a view to developing it, or
• The owner removed standard amenities themselves.

Lead Pipe Replacement Grants

The Council currently have funding available to provide grant assistance for the removal of lead pipe which supplies drinking water to your home.

The grant is available for households where and it is their main or only residence. To qualify the water must be tested and have failed the lead content in water test (copy required) contact Environmental Standards on 030 33 33 3000 to arrange for a lead sample test to be taken.

The work being undertaken must be the complete replacement of the lead pipe which supplies the drinking water from its connection with the mains supply in the street to an appropriate point within the accommodation. Partial replacement, e.g. solely repairing a burst section, is not eligible for grant assistance as it provides no significant reduction in the levels of lead within the drinking water supply.

Private Water Grants

For information on Private water supplies contact Environmental Standards on 030 33 33 3000

Work To Meet The Needs of a Disabled Person

The Council works in partnership with Care and Repair in Dumfries & Galloway to provide an adaptations service for owner-occupiers and private renting tenants whose housing needs have changed and who require their home to be adapted to make it easier for them to continue to live independently. For further information on the assessment process and meeting the needs of disabled home owners and tenants within the private sector please contact Care & Repair direct using the details below. (leaflet to follow)