Who does Care and Repair help?
All our services are designed to help and support people to remain independently in their own homes.
We are able to advise and assist all older homeowners and private tenants who live in North West Leicestershire or Hinckley and Bosworth. Although our principal work is with those who are vulnerable and/or on low incomes we provide our services to all older people.
We are also able to help some younger and/or disabled people.
Our advice is free and confidential.
What do we do?
A Housing Adviser visits to provide advice, assistance and personal support to help repair, maintain or adapt homes. This includes advice on heating and energy efficiency measures. Our service is planned individually for and with each person.
We advise on applying for means tested and disability benefits.
We give help and advice about paying for the work and assist in applying for appropriate funding when available including local authority and charitable grants, or loans. We ensure those paying from their own resources get value for money.
Our building surveyors ensure work is correctly specified and satisfactorily carried out. We use tried and tested contractors to carry out work.
Our own handyperson service carries out small repairs.
Some of our services may have to be paid for. This will be explained clearly and in writing before any costs are incurred.
How else do we help?
We give advice about other services that are available and make referrals where appropriate.
We organise a home security service on behalf of Leicestershire Safe at Home.
We can arrange a list of gardeners/decorators.
See: More about Care & Repair (pdf)
What kind of financial help may be available to pay for identified work?
North West Leicestershire District Council
We can help those over 60 to apply for Repairs grants (non repayable) of up to £2,000 to help low-income households to keep their homes wind and weather tight.
Renovation Assistance – repayable loans up to £20,000. We can offer those over 60 advice and support in some situations.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
We assist eligible clients over the age of 60 to access Major Works Assistance. This is to enable vulnerable owner occupiers and tenants with a repairing obligation of homes that fail the Decent Homes Standard (DHS), to pay for works to be carried out so that the condition of their house can be improved.
We assist eligible clients of all ages to access Minor Works Assistance to enable vulnerable owner occupiers and tenants with a repairing obligation of homes that fail the Decent Homes Standard (DHS), to pay for minor repair works to be carried out to their house.
We offer a full Agency Service for all Disabled Facilities Grants
Loans – ENERGYVISION and Leicester Loan schemes
We are the loan agent for interest free loans for energy efficiency measures including replacement energy efficient boilers. We work in partnership with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and the Leicestershire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre.
Handyperson Scheme
Our Handyperson Scheme carries out small but essential repairs for homeowners aged over 60. Local contractors are used to carry out the work which can be to repair a dripping tap, clean out guttering, fitting security lights etc. Contractor charges vary according to skills but the minimum basic charge is £12 per hour plus the cost of materials. Under the Scheme each job is limited to 5 hours. Clients pay for the cost of materials plus 50% of the labour charge. This subsidy is possible due to charitable funding including LLoydsTSB Foundation.
Emergency Service
We do not provide an emergency service but will do our best to assist you if there is an emergency during office hours.
If you are without heating or hot water we are able to loan Emergency Hot water tanks and electric heaters.
Security and crime prevention initiatives
We manage the Leicestershire Safe at Home Scheme which works in partnership with Help the Aged to provide a Handyvan service. For a free home safety check and fitting of home security products then contact us on 01530 837097. To be eligible you must live in Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth or North West Leicestershire, be over 60 and have less than £20,000 in savings.
Energy Efficiency
We have a supply of low energy lightbulbs which we distribute to clients. We occasionally run radiator panel projects where we supply and fir up to five radiator panels free of charge. These panels are fitted behind existing radiators. They cause no disturbance to walls, and once fitted are not visible. These panels help to reflect the heat from the radiators back into the room, so enabling heat settings to be reduced and therefore fuel bills.
Private work
We employ three experienced Technical Advisers, one of whom is a specialist plumbing and heating engineer. We are able to assist people who are paying for work themselves by offering a professional technical support service. A fee is charged for this service ranging from 5% of the total cost of works where a schedule of work is required up to 14% where drawings and a detailed specification is required such as for the provision of disabled adaptations where a grant is not available or the installation of a central heating system. In all instances an initial visit is made. This initial service is free. If at this stage you decide to proceed the cost implications will be made clear to you.
Other work
We work closely with a number of charities, especially the Royal British Legion, to assist clients to pay for essential work where there are no funds available.