Are you the owner of a residential property that has been flooded or is located within a known flood risk area? If so, you may be eligible to apply for a grant that is designed to encourage you to have your property modified to make it more resistant to flooding.
Overview of the Scheme
The Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme (Northern Ireland) is a government scheme which is designed to encourage the owners of residential properties that have flooded before and/or are located within known flood prone areas, to modify their properties to make them more resistant to flooding.
The Grant Scheme is specifically aimed at residential properties that have flooded internally in the past and continue to be exposed to frequent flooding. It will allow owners of residential properties at risk of flooding to install physical barriers and equipment to help reduce the impact of flooding on their homes.
Tenants will not be eligible to apply for the scheme.
Measures homeowners can adopt which are covered under the scheme include door barriers, airbrick covers, non return drainage outlets and waterproofing walls.
The grant will cover 90 per cent of the cost, up to a maximum of £13,700 of the total survey and estimated installation, with successful applicants covering the remaining 10 per cent contribution (plus any additional cost that may be incurred above £13,700). Depending on the size and type of your property, the cost to you may vary.
The sequencing of payments is that the homeowner will also be required to make an initial ‘up-front’ payment of £50 towards the cost of the specialist survey and this will subsequently be deducted from the 10% homeowner contribution that is to be paid prior to installation. In situations where a suitable design solution cannot be recommended, this will be discussed with the homeowner and the initial ‘up-front’ payment of £50 will be refunded. The initial £50 ‘up-front’ payment will not be refunded without good cause.
The Grant will be paid directly to the Scheme’s appointed building surveyor and building contractor. No monies will be paid to the homeowner and the homeowner cannot employ their own surveyor or contractor.
Information, including detailed guidance, question and answers, regarding flooding can be found at - http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/flooding-in-your-area.
Further information on this scheme and the application form can be found at - https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/homeowner-flood-protection-grant-scheme. The completed form should then be sent to:
Flood Protection Grant Scheme Manager
DfI Rivers Directorate Headquarters
49 Tullywiggan Road
Loughry
Cookstown
BT80 8GS