Advice for homeowners
Services and information available for homeowners
Grants and help for homeowners
We have a range of grants and other forms of assistance, including disabled adaptations, and our small repairs service available to eligible homeowners to help keep you safe and warm at home.
If your household is struggling to pay fuel bills, call Oxfordshire's Better Housing Better Health on 0800 107 0044 for free, impartial advice.
If you are worried about your mortgage payments, visit GOV.UK.
If your home is being repossessed and you are facing homelessness, contact our Duty Team.
Issues with neighbouring properties
You can report neighbouring properties if they are in disrepair or having an adverse effect on your property.
We investigate reports of poorly managed and unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and rented homes in disrepair.
We are keen to work with owners of empty homes to bring these back into use.
Keeping your home dry and warm
See our webpage on energy efficiency and keeping warm at home.
Advice on tackling damp and mould.
Fire safety in the home
All homes should have working smoke alarms on every floor of the house. If you don't have any or you have concerns, you can request a safe and well visit from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue. Remember to test your alarms every 6 months when the clocks change.
For more information visit Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue's website 365alive.
We recommend everyone reads and shares this easy to read fire safety guidance from the London Fire Brigade or these fire safety guides from GOV.uk.
Thinking of letting your home?
If you are thinking of letting out a room in your home, start by reading the government's guide for resident landlords and this guide to complying with fire safety law.
The government's Rent a Room Scheme lets you earn up to a threshold of £7,500 per year tax-free. You could also consider hosting a Ukrainian guest under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Alternatively, you can let your property through our Cherwell Bond Scheme and help us provide essential homes for families in need. We offer grants to landlords who are part of the scheme to help with home improvements.
We offer Advice visits for homeowners who are thinking of letting property for the first time to help you comply with the law.
'How to' guides to buying and selling homes
The government has produced guides for homeowners and prospective homeowners giving a helpful overview of the process of buying and selling a home. It sets out the important steps along the way, which organisations can help, and where readers can find more information.