Housing Adaptation grant info? Helping In-Laws stay home and healthy.

banie01

Good morning Boardsies and regulars of this corner. I hope this query is in the right corner?

Over the weekend we discovered that my In-Laws are encountering serious issues with using their home as currently configured. Old age has caught up with them and stubbornness has put off their request for help for far too long. They are no longer able to use their bath, the stairs are becoming an issue and other things such as a leak on the flat roof extension which is causing damage and given the age of the roof is already far past its expiration date.

This all came to light when my MIL began discussing swapping the flat roof for a pitched one aswell as reconfiguring the existing garage to bedroom and downstairs bathroom.

My In-Laws are of limited means and any spend on the home would eliminate their remaining nestegg. They don't want to leave their neighbours and they are @200kms away from the wife and I, we do visit regularly but even at that! The issues that became known this weekend were a shock to us.

My questions revolve around 2 main points.

1st, Planning Permission. There is an existing flat roofed garage that has a utility room included to the side of the house. if this structure is within the 40sq mtrs exempted development, does planning permission need to be sought for the change of use and switch to a pitched roof?

2nd, The grants available? From a quick trawl through Google there are 3 main grant/aid schemes available. Mobility Aids grant scheme, Housing Aid for Older People Scheme and the Housing Adaptation Grants scheme. Given the scope of works needed I'm leaning towards the Adaptation scheme and its means tested maximum grant as the "best" option? A question I have regarding that however, is can the Housing Aid and Housing Adaptation schemes be applied for and awarded concurrently? e.g Can we have the major renovation works carried out with support from the Adaptation scheme, and have further remedial work to the house such as windows and heating work supported via the Housing aid schemes?

Thanks for any info and pointers on this, it will really be very appreciated!

BALI

Hi there, I'm in a similar situation now with my mum's house. Am currently putting in application. Am curious as to if you ever applied, how did it go and did it take long?

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120390945#Comment_120390945

Hi, yes we put in an application, it was approved within a few weeks. The longest part of the process were the planning and commencement notices. Work is currently underway at their house.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120418105#Comment_120418105

I missed your original post first time around. As you confirmed planning was required for the roof. We're you able to get grant aid for all aspects of the works as outlined in your OP?

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120418360#Comment_120418360

Hi Muffler, we engaged a local draughtsman/planning consultant aswell as engaging with the council directly during the planning phase. Along with providing medical evidence as to my In-laws restricted mobility and needs.

That then led to a design to knock the existing garage structure and rebuild as a bedroom and wet room compliant with regs.

We had great help from the council in getting all the ducks in a row on this and were also afforded advice on getting additional works in the house covered too. 1 grant application covered 3 schemes and 2 were granted immediately with a 3rd to be revisited once all current works are complete.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120418862#Comment_120418862

Thanks for that. Nice to hear of things going smoothly for a change.