SHDC says: "Help is at hand for South Hams home owners feeling the pinch"

A council-backed low interest-rate lending scheme can help local home owners to make essential repairs and efficiency improvements to their home.

Food and energy bill price rises are hitting people's wallets even harder on wallets this year. South Hams District Council is "reminding residents of a local scheme to help with the cost of fixing your home and avoid falling into the trap of expensive short-term borrowing".

In the last two years, over £77,000 has been lent to people in the South Hams via Lendology, an ethical loan agency that is supported by the Council.

Lendology provides a variety of loan products and schemes designed to meet the wide ranging financial and housing needs of the communities they serve. Owner occupiers, private sector landlords, empty property owners, first time buyers and park homes owners can apply for a home improvement loan fixed at 4% interest. Every year the council supports the scheme with a £30,000 payment to ensure local residents can access affordable loans.

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams Executive Member for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing said: “Money worries can stop people from carrying out essential repairs and that can have a big impact on health and wellbeing. By working with Lendology we can make sure people can access fair lending so they can afford to make repairs or efficiency improvements without falling into a debt trap.

"The service is open to all – you don’t need to be in receipt of benefits to use it - as loans are approved based on affordability. If you would like to find out more, please go to www.lendology.org.uk”

Case Study:

Mrs H contacted South Hams District Council to find out if there was any financial support available for roof repairs. Mrs H got a local contractor to give her a quote for fixing the roof which she was worried may collapse, she quickly learnt that the whole roof needed to be replaced. The council were able to support the client with a grant towards the roof and she borrowed the remaining funds from Lendology.

Mrs H said: “Before the roof was collapsing and there was water pouring in the house the electrics stopped working and it was dangerous.” Now that the works are done, Mrs H said “I am really pleased with the work that has been done.”

When asked what she would say to other homeowners considering a loan with Lendology for home improvements she said “Most definitely consider applying with Lendology, they really helped me. I don’t think I would have got a loan from anywhere else.”

To find out more about whether a loan from Lendology is right for you, please go to www.lendology.org.uk