Skip to content Accesskeys Newsroom

Housing renewal - funding for repairs and adaptations

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s (NIHE) Grants scheme is designed to provide help for the improvement and repair of privately owned homes. However, in the current economic climate with a funding shortfall, the NIHE has had to review how it manages these grants.  

Current situation with grants

As a result of this the discretionary grants for Renovation, Replacement, Houses in Multiple Occupation and Home Repairs Assistance are only available in exceptional circumstances.  The mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant and Repair Grants (available to Landlords, agents and tenants on receipt of a statutory notice issued by the local council) are still available.

About the Disabled Facilities Grant

This grant is to help improve the home of a person with a disability, and may be based on the recommendation of an occupational therapist.

Owner-occupiers, landlords or private tenants can get assistance to carry out adaptations, provided there is a person with a disability living in the house. Only works recommended by your local occupational therapist (unless otherwise agreed by the local Health Trust and the Housing Executive) can be considered for grant aid. Typical work may include:

  • improving access to your bathroom, livingroom or bedroom
  • providing additional bathroom facilities
  • making the preparation and cooking of food easier for example by enlarging the kitchen or providing low level units
  • adapting lighting or heating controls
  • improving your heating system

You can get up to £25,000 - depending on financial circumstances.

Landlord's Energy Saving Allowance

If you are a landlord and make energy saving improvements to your property, you could reduce the tax you pay. You can do this by claiming the ‘Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance’ (LESA).

More useful links