Home Maintenance Scheme

What is the home maintenance scheme?

What the Scheme can do for you

Assistance and guidance is offered to help home-owners identify what works need to be done, to suggest how the works could be funded and to supply the contact details of local contractors and tool hire companies.

Why do I need to maintain my home?

How do I identify what work is required to my home?

The first stage in planning maintenance work is to identify what needs to be done and consider the risks presented by leaving your property in disrepair.

Faults which are not immediately obvious may be identified through methodical inspection. You may be surprised at the things you notice for the first time.

We have produced a checklist of works to consider but you can also request a visit from a Housing Standards Officer who will confirm your findings and make their own recommendations.

Request a visit from a Housing Standards officer

What help can I get to do the work myself?

We have arranged concessionary tool-hire with a number of local companies. This should make it easier and cheaper for you to get hold of the right tools for your job. Most companies will also arrange delivery of tools within South Somerset if needed.We can provide you with a list of tool-hire companies in your area upon request.

Is there any financial help available?

1. Subject to eligibility, people on income-related benefits may be able to apply for a home repair assistance grant to cover the cost of essential repairs.
2. Low-interest home loans, issued by the wessex reinvestment trust, may be available to you.
3. The home aid partnership's caseworker is available to try to help you access charitable funding for any work that does not qualify for grant or loan aid.

How do I choose a contractor to carry out work?

Our Housing Standards team maintains a list of local contractors. Those contractors included on the list must provide evidence of public liability insurance, references and agreed that they will observe our Builders' Code of Conduct. You can request copy of this list.

Request local list of contractors

What if I live in a terrace where all the houses need similar works?

Houses built around the same time often need similar repairs. Examples are felting roofs, re-wiring and the repair of guttering and down pipes. The Housing Standards team are interested in helping you to work with your neighbours to get repairs done at the same time. This can reduce costs and often improve the overall standard of work. If you would like to discuss a particular scheme, please contact our Housing Standards team.