Home improvement grants of up to £5000 are available for eligible home owners. You may be able to make an application if your property:
- doesn’t meet the Council’s Health & Safety Standards
- needs minor work to help the owner or tenant or a member of their family to live independently
- needs work to improve energy efficiency not covered by any national grant scheme. 

The grant can be used for properties that:
- fail the Council’s health and safety standard, i.e. are unfit or have category 1 hazards rated on the housing health and safety rating system or are in substantial disrepair and/or
- need minor adaptation and/or improvement to facilitate independent living for the applicant or a member of their family living within the property and/or
- need additional energy efficiency works where the works are not covered by any other grant funded scheme.

Applicants must be:
- the owner of the property and must occupy the property as their main home.
- Proof of identity must be provided by showing either a valid full passport or details of the applicant’s National Insurance Number must be given.
- Proof of ownership according to the Council’s procedures at the time of application must be given.
- The property must be the applicant’s only and current residence and be within the boundaries of Test Valley Borough Council.
- The applicant must be in receipt of a means tested benefit.
- Proof of the benefit must be shown. Photocopies are not acceptable. Proof can either be a letter from the Department of Works and Pensions (dated within the last three months), the benefit book, the Council Tax Bill or by permission being given to confirm with the Council’s Revenue Service.

Subject to the Council’s discretion the grant must be repaid in the following way should the property be sold, or the last registered owner dies or goes into long term residential care or there is a disposal of the property (see terms and conditions). For Grants approved after 1 April 2017 repayment is required if the above occurs within 5 years of the grant completion or the terms and conditions are breached.

The property must not be left vacant for more than six months.

For further information please contact the:
Private Sector Housing team
Tel 01264 368000
Email envhealth@testvalley.gov.uk