The best ways to get house grants.

Getting a house grant doesn't have to be the most difficult thing in the world, in fact it can be quite easy. All you need to know is the general guidelines and the basic way you should go about it and et voila!, you have a house grant. Here are some of those guidelines:

• Don't start work before you get a grant. This is probably the number one tip you could ever get about obtaining a house grant- don't start working on the home before getting a grant because the lending Council will not give a grant to a home that has already undergone construction. Make sure you fill out the application correctly and get the grant before starting. Sure, it may take six months to get approved but it will be well worth it.





• You need to have lived in the home for a certain amount of time to get a grant. Some people buy a home that needs significant repairs thinking that they will be able to obtain a quick house grant to fix the problems. Well, if you have lived in the home for less then three years you most likely won't be able to obtain a grant. Even more so, if you don't plan on living in the home for at least another five years you probably won't get a grant either. Length of occupancy is a very important factor to the Council.



• Grants come in all different sizes. There is no one sise fits all grant. It will depend on how big your income/ savings are and how many dependants you have. Usually the bigger your income the less money you will get in a house grant and the more dependants the more money you will receive.



• Grant money can be used in a variety of ways! Before you just start applying for grant money you should first make sure that you will qualify as far as what you need the money for. Grant money can be used to: improve the home to make it accessible for the disabled, fire precaution work, heating/ security and in some cases minor repairs. For the most part you won't be able to get a house grant for minor repairs unless you have a very low income because this is not the main purpose of the grants. Usually the Council will run a Renewal Assistance Grant program a few times a year where they will accept some of those who want repairs done on the home. You will most likely have to get on a waiting list for this however.




• There are other ways the Council can help you if you qualify. In certain circumstances, you may qualify for a housing grant even though you don't fit any of the usual qualifications. If you are either over 60 years old or are disabled you will have a much better chance of getting what is known as a "House-Proud" loan which allows you to do specific repairs in your home. These loans are customised to your needs and are not tied to your home equity.