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.

Total spend related to the Scheme of Assistance was £35 million, of which:

• £20.6 million was spend (59% of total spend) against disabled adaptations.      
• £2.8 million was spend (8% of total spend) against assistance for work under notice.
• £6.2 million was spend (18% of total spend) against other types of assistance.
• £5.4 million (15% of total spend) was spend against administrative costs.

In 2024–25, 5,157 scheme of assistance grants were paid to householders, a 15% decrease (or 881 fewer grants) than 2023–2024. In 2024–25 a total of £27,372,241 was paid in scheme of assistance grants, a 2% decrease (or -£570,972) than 2023-24.

Most assistance grants were for disabled adaptions, 3,348 grants which is 20% less than the 2023–24 figure of 4,194. The amount spent on disabled adaptation grants has decreased 7% compared with the previous year, from £22.2 million to £20.6million.

Notes on scheme of assistance data:

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