Handyperson Healthy Home Check scheme

About the scheme

This scheme aims to help you improve your independence by carrying out small repairs or minor adaptations. It also aims to take the worry out of having to find a contractor to do small works to your property. We can also carry out a Healthy Home Check to help reduce accidents in the home and help maintain your safety and security.

The scheme may be able to assist you to undertake small repairs before they begin to have a serious damaging affect on the property and lead to further problems.

Your questions answered

Who can apply?

You can use this service if you are either:

• Aged 60 years or over
• Disabled or infirm
• In receipt of a specified means tested benefit
• A single parent with a child under 5 years old

and

• A home owner
• A private tenant with a repairing obligation
• A Local Authority Tenant (excluding maintenance tasks)

Tenants who are not liable to carry out repairs as a condition of the lease are not eligible to apply for the scheme. The private landlord is responsible for carrying out repairs to this type of property.

How does the scheme work?

Applicants are required to pay for the cost of the materials to be used to carry out the repair or adaptation, and also to make a payment of £15 an hour towards the cost of labour. Six Town Housing and The Council pays the remainder of the costs direct to the Home Improvement Agency to administer the scheme and pay the handy person.

What will the scheme cover?

There is no final list of works that might be eligible for the Handy Person Scheme, but large-scale works cannot be carried out under the scheme.

Here are some examples of types of type of work that may be carried out under the scheme.

• Minor joinery work - putting up shelves, pictures etc
• Minor electrical work - replacing fuses or bulbs, make safe trailing wires, telephone leads, fitting battery operated door bells
• Minor plumbing work - replacing tap washers, cistern washers, ball valves and repairing small leaks
• Security - fitting door chains, door and window locks, bolts and viewers
• Safety - fitting smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fixing loose carpets
• Comfort - Fit reflective radiator panels and draught proofing/excluders
• Minor Adaptations - fitting grab rails, handrails and half steps (where you do not qualify for an assessment by ACS)

However, there are certain works that cannot be carried out under the scheme. The following are examples of the type of works that a handy person will not do.

• Any work on electrics or gas.
• Unblocking or repairing drains or sewers.
• Work to fix a defective damp proof course.
• Painting, decorating and gardening.

How long will I have to wait?

The handy person aims to carry out the work within three weeks from receiving a completed application form. However, these timescales might be subject to delays at peak times or during prolonged periods of bad weather.

The handy person carries some stock items with him and will endeavor to complete the work at the first visit. For non stock items, you can choose to buy the materials that are necessary to carry out the work yourself and have them ready for the visit or you can ask the handy person to purchase them for you, (this will be included in the labour costs).

An estimate for the cost of the works will be given to you by the handy person before work commences. The handyperson will ask your for the costs due (we prefer payment by cheque) on completion of the work and will provide you with a receipt. If you are not able to pay on completion of the work we can send you an invoice and will ask you to send the payment to us within 7 days of receipt of the invoice. Alternatively you can request an estimate in writing and take some time to consider whether or not you wish to continue. If an applicant wishes to continue with the works they will need to confirm this in writing, by using the slip that will be provided with the estimate.

Having the work done

The handy person will never call at your property unannounced - appointments are made so that you know who will be coming to your home and when. The handy person will carry identification and we encourage you to ask to see it.

The handy person will clear up after completing work and will put any waste in your household bins. Unfortunately we do not have a waste carrier's license to remove larger items so you will need to make arrangement to remove these.

The handy person will leave a satisfaction questionnaire with you and ask you to return it to the Home Improvement Agency. We use the information you provide to develop our services.

How do I apply?

Contact the Home Improvement Agency at:

Six Town Housing, 6 Knowsley Place, Angouleme Way, Bury, BL9 0EL.
Phone: 0161 686 8200. Email: You can email us by using the link on the right.

The Home Improvement Agency may be able to assist you with larger jobs than those that can be completed under this scheme. If you would like to discuss this with us, please contact us.

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