Each year, homeowners invest over 16 billion on maintaining what is, for most people, their most valuable asset. However, there remain a number of people who, for one reason or another, are unable to keep their homes in a proper state of repair. The Government s policy is that the responsibility for maintaining privately owned property should rest first and foremost with the homeowner. In March 2001, the Government published its consultation paper on proposals to reform private sector housing renewal by local authorities in England and Wales. Local housing authorities play the main role in providing support for housing renewal in the private sector.
Local authorities have a range of powers to provide assistance.
Grants and other assistance are sometimes also given to support local authorities role in enforcing housing fitness standards . Home improvement agencies can also play a valuable role in providing advice and other assistance on home repair and improvements. Some housing renewal is carried out in the private sector by registered social landlords . Help with home insulation and other energy-efficiency work is also available through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme . The Government s role is to provide the policy, legislative and financial framework for private sector housing renewal, and to provide strategic guidance to local housing authorities.