Homeowners’ Scheme of Assistance

Homeowners are primarily responsible for maintaining their own property in a decent state of repair. However, local authorities have statutory powers to maintain and improve the general condition of private sector housing in their area.

Under the Scheme of Assistance, introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, local authorities can provide financial (loans or grants) and non-financial help (guidance, advice, or practical help) for private housing which is in disrepair or below the tolerable standard or needs to be adapted because a person is disabled. The local authority will determine and provide information on what assistance is available based on local priorities and budgets.

In 2023-24 6,038 scheme of assistance grants were paid to householders, a 5% decrease (or 315 fewer grants) than 2022-2023.

Total spend related to the Scheme of Assistance was almost £37 million, of which £22.5 million was accounted for by assistance grants approved for disabled adaptions (61.5% spend), £2.3 million on assistance for work under notice (6.4% spend) as well as £6 million on other type of assistance (16% spend). Other spend relates to administrative costs, at £5.8 million (16%).

Most assistance grants were for disabled adaptions, 4,194 grants which is 9% less than the 2022-23 figure of 4,602. The amount spent on disabled adaptation grants has increased 2% compared with the previous year, from £21.7 million to £22.2 million.

Non-financial assistance (including information and advice as well as practical assistance) was 140,952 in 2023-24. The amount spent on non-financial assistance has decreased 34% compared with the previous year, from £213,729 to £140,952.

Further detailed figures are available in the Scheme of Assistance Excel web tables.