Housing renewal assistance policy 2026 - 2030: 1. Introduction - 10.5 Maintenance

When equipment is installed using a DFG the applicant who was awarded the grant becomes the owner of the equipment and is therefore responsible for its maintenance, repairs and for removing the equipment once it is no longer needed. The Council has for many years assisted, where funds are available, on a discretionary basis with the maintenance of lifts and wash dry toilets installed as part of a DFG. This has included stair-lifts and through floor lifts. There is no statutory requirement for this and repair works (that are not already factored in at grant approval stage in the form of a warranty) are precluded from Government grant funding.

As part of this discretionary assistance, new grant awards for Mandatory DFGs delivered through the Council Agency Service or relevant framework contracts for vertical, stair, step lifts and wash dry toilets (whilst resources allow) include a total of a 5-year warranty and service contract. This is entirely discretionary, there is no mandatory requirement to provide this, and will only be in place while funds are available. It is strongly recommended that applicants plan financially to be able to fund warranty, service and or repair costs after this period, due to the council’s limited resources to assist with further repairs on a discretionary basis. To help ensure the longevity of the equipment, applicants will at installation be provided with guidance on correct charging procedures for lift batteries for example, and the council will ensure guides are also available on the council’s website. 

Where applicants submit their own application (or using their own private agent) for a lift or hoist they will be expected to include a warranty / service contract as part of the scheme as part of the application. This is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the price includes for this. Where equipment has been installed without such contracts the resident will be expected to meet the full cost of the servicing and repairs. The costs will only be assisted if the contractor meets all the relevant technical requirements including that they are Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) approved and their costs do not exceed the level funded by the council on other similar schemes.

The council has no funds to assist with ongoing repair and maintenance of any other form of DFG or adaptation works, this will be a matter for the applicant.