Better Homes grant

Better Homes grant

Grants of up to 50% of the cost of works up to a maximum of £3,000 per unit are available to help landlords refurbish their properties to meet the government’s Decent Homes Standard.

This new grant is for landlords who let their property using our Direct Lettings service and council letting schemes.

It can also be used by landlords looking to bring a House in Multiple Occupation up to Decent Homes Standards and occupied by at least one vulnerable households.

The types of work that can be funded include:

• Thermal comfort – Insulation etc.
• Central heating system
• General repairs to plumbing, drainage, electrics or fabric of the building
• Kitchens older than 20 years
• Bathrooms older than 30 years
• Major health and safety hazards     

The London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea currently offer this new grant which is designed to help both landlords and tenants in the private rented sector.

Grant criteria 

A property will qualify for this grant where, firstly, it:

• Fails the Decent Homes standard (Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) pdf 450KB) i.e. minimum standard for housing
• Fails to provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort including lacking effective insulation     

and

• Is let or will be let to a qualifying households     

and either:

• The property is already being used by the council through a managed lettings scheme that is coming to an end and the landlord has agreed it should be converted to an Assured Short-hold Tenancy (AST) with nomination rights of 2 or more years     

or

• The landlord agrees to participate in the council’s Direct Lettings Scheme with nomination rights for 2 or more years     

or

• The property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) housing vulnerable households, and the landlord has, or is seeking a license or accreditation     

Grant conditions

Landlords are expected to match the amount of grant given to the property.  Each unit will be entitled to a grant of up to £3,000 or half the cost of the works (whichever is less).

The property must remain let under the council’s direct letting scheme for two years. Should you stop renting your property through the scheme before the two years has elapsed, you may have to pay back part of the grant money

Managing Agents can apply for the Better Homes Grant on behalf of an owner; if the property owner has given authorised permission (the Council will require documentary proof of this).

Contact

For further information on the Better Homes grant, or to let your property please 
Email: direct.lettings@lbhf.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8753 4166

» Landlord services
» Download our Better Homes grant West London leaflet (197KB)

To apply

Please complete the Request for Private Housing form and email to the above address.