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Paying for home maintenance and repairs

Looking after your home can be expensive but it’s really important for your safety and wellbeing to stay on top of things. It’s also a good idea to try and plan ahead so you can continue to live independently. You can get practical help to maintain your home and you might also be able to get help with costs.
Staying on top of things and getting repairs done early can save you money later on. It will also maximise the value of your property in case you need to sell later.
Some of the areas you should check regularly include:
To find a reputable trader, visit Trustmark. You can find a registered gas engineer on the Gas Safe Register. For more advice about electrics, go to Electrical Safety First.
It’s also good to think about any changes you might want to make to help you stay independent in the future. For example:
You could apply for a Green Homes Grant, which gives you a voucher towards the cost of installing energy-efficient home improvements, such as double glazing, wall insulation and heating controls.
You may also want to think about home adaptations.
If you receive Guarantee Pension Credit or you’re on a low income or receive certain other benefits, you may qualify for a discount on your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Your energy supplier will have to be part of the scheme. If you qualify, £140 will be credited to your electricity account, key or meter by the end of March.
If you’re having problems paying your energy bills, some energy companies have grants or trusts that can help. You don’t always have to be with that energy company to apply but contact your own supplier first to find out if they have grants available. Simple Energy Advice can direct you to organisations that can help with energy debts. They can also give personalised advice on how to cut your energy bills through their energy efficiency calculator.
Handyperson services carry out small tasks and repairs, such as:
If you’re finding it difficult to do small jobs around the home, your local council may have a list of approved handyperson services that can help you. Contact the council’s housing department. Your local Age UK or another local charity may offer a handyperson service but make sure the provider is approved, for example by Trustmark or your local council.
A Home Improvement Agency (HIA) is a not-for-profit organisation that can provide help and advice on home maintenance and repairs, including:
Not all HIAs provide all these services. You will need to contact your local HIA, which you can find on the Foundations website. Most HIAs offer free initial advice, but will probably charge a fee if you decide to go ahead with work with their assistance.
Before you employ a builder:
When choosing a builder:
Beware of builders who knock on your door and advise you that you need to have some work done. This could be a scam. Always check the credentials of any contractors and don’t employ anyone who puts you under pressure to make a quick decision.
If you own your home, you'll need buildings and contents insurance for your home. If you’re a leaseholder, your freeholder will probably arrange and manage the buildings insurance policy. If you rent, your landlord is responsible for the buildings insurance, but you should consider taking out contents cover.
Compare a number of quotes. You could try a free price comparison site such as Uswitch. If you’re buying buildings and contents insurance, it’s often cheaper to get a joint policy. The Money Advice Service has information about what good policies should cover.
You should tell your insurance provider if you have work done on your home. This applies to tenants as well as home owners, especially if there is anything that may affect the security of your home, such as scaffolding. The cost of your policy may also be affected if the building work increases the value of your property.
If you‘re on a low income or receiving certain benefits you may be eligible for financial help from your local council or the Social Fund, usually in the form of an interest-free loan, to help with repairs and improvements. For more information, see our factsheet Extra help with essential costs if you’re on a low income.
Some charities may also be able to provide financial help. Search for a charity at turn2us.
You could consider taking out a personal loan from your bank or building society to help with home improvements or repairs. The interest rate and repayments are usually fixed, making it easier to budget, but get advice first. You can find an adviser through unbiased. The Money Advice Service has an online calculator to help you see how much a loan will cost and how quickly you can pay it off.
If you’ve taken out a loan to pay for repairs or home improvements and you’re receiving Guarantee Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you may be able to get help with the interest payments. Gov.uk has more information.