Homeowners in North Lanarkshire are being encouraged to avail of the local authority's Scheme of Assistance.

The programme offers help and assistance for homeowners looking to repair or maintain their home.

One of the aims of the scheme is to encourage owner and landlord participation with regards to repair and improvement programmes which are led by the council or housing associations. Among the changes being introduced are:

• The replacement of a hardship grant with a 75% grant for owner occupiers in receipt of income based benefit.

• Reducing the lower grant threshold of £1,500 to £1,000 for common work, providing an opportunity for grants to be awarded for lower cost essential work such as common stair repairs.

-- Advertisement --

• Offering grants for door entry works to owners of all flatted blocks. It is hoped this will help owners to improve the security of their blocks and help address identified risks associated with antisocial behaviour and loitering.

Councillor Sam Love, Convener of the Housing and Social Work Services Committee, said: "Owner participation in council-led programmes continues to fall. Disrepair in private homes throughout North Lanarkshire, both owner-occupied and private rented, is becoming more evident, particularly in flats.

"We're making changes to encourage more owner occupiers to take greater responsibility and deal more effectively with disrepair in their properties. We already offer a range of other assistance including advice, information, technical and practical help, and in some circumstances, grant assistance.

"Money is often tight and by being pro-active and listening to our residents we hope that these changes will benefit them, their homes and the communities in which they live."

Councillor Love added: "It's not just about people taking pride in their homes but it's also about improving communities. For example, providing grant funding to home owners, particularly those in common blocks of flats, will hopefully encourage them to carry out repair work without the need to use other powers such as enforcement, which can often cause lengthy delays."

(JP/IT)