Dundee Care and Repair

DC&R assist people of all ages and across all housing tenures with advice, however, financial assistance can only be given to those meeting certain criteria.  To qualify for financial assistance a person must be:

• In receipt of State Retirement Pension, a home owner or tenant in privately rented accommodation and be on a low or limited income.  Income levels will be assessed however those in receipt of the guarantee element of Pension Credit or in receipt of Direct Council Tax benefit will automatically qualify.

OR

• A home owner or tenant in privately rented accommodation of any age, having a disability or chronic ill health ( in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Incapacity Benefit) and be on a low or limited income. Income levels will be assessed however those in receipt of Income Support or in receipt of Direct Council Tax benefit will automatically qualify.

N.B. Assistance may be given to Council or Housing Association tenants, but only if the applicant meets the qualifying criteria for financial assistance and the work is deemed necessary and is not the responsibility of the Council or Housing Association to carry out. (e.g. repairing a shower installed by the tenant)

Advice can be as simple as giving information in a telephone call to assisting with the arrangement of substantial improvement or repair works.  Dundee Care and Repair also help people access services such as:

• Occupational Therapy, Welfare Rights, Community Alarm, Handyperson Service
• Department of Work and Pensions - Pension Service
• Energy Assistance Package & Energy Savings Trust
• Dundee Energy Efficiency Advice Project, Dundee City Council
• Trusted Trader scheme run by Trading Standards, Dundee City Council
• Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)

Small Repairs are classified as works costing up to £500 (includes VAT) and provided that the cost of works do not exceed this amount, an applicant would not have to make any personal contribution to the cost. For works costing more than £500 + VAT, clients must agree to pay the excess amount before works can be instructed.

Examples of the some of the Small Repair works are as follows:

• Security - Replacement door locks, fitting door locks, window locks and door viewers, fitting security lighting, repairing fencing.
• Repairs to doors and windows
• Roof repairs
• Repairing or replacing rainwater goods
• Repair to older gas boilers and central heating systems
• Plumbing repairs to kitchen and bathroom facilities
• Repairs to electrical installation (wiring, sockets, distribution board, etc)
• Repairs to pathways and access steps

This type of grant can be applied for if the cost of the necessary work significantly exceeds the maximum Small Repairs Award but by its nature would not attract assistance with a Discretionary Repairs or Improvement Grant. The applicant must also meet the appropriate criteria for financial assistance from DC&R.  Grant assistance is available at a rate of 40%.