There are various grants for a variety of things property related in Christchurch and I am going to give you a quick rundown on what is available.
There are grants for
- Character Housing Maintenance Grant
- Heritage Incentive Fund
- Funding for insulation and clean, efficient heating
- Solar Hot Water Heating Grant
- Clean Heat Project (Open Fires)
Character Housing Maintenance Grant
Conditions with regard to the property:
The following conditions will need to be fulfilled before a house can be considered for Council grant assistance:
- The house was originally built as a family residence prior to 1945 and is still in residential use
- The house makes a key contribution to the visual character and quality of the surrounding street scape, adjoining houses and the local area
- The house is not presently listed on the Christchurch City Plan Heritage List
- The proposed works involve the use of appropriate materials or additions which are representative of the age or architectural style of the house.
Conditions with regard to the property owner:
The following conditions will be obliged of property owners being awarded a grant:
- The property must be insured
- The property must not be demolished or relocated within 10 years of the awarding of the grant
- The Council must be informed of the completion of the works
- There is only one grant per property
- Property must be within the Christchurch City or Banks Peninsula area
- If appropriate the owner will agree to the property being included on the City Plan Heritage List
- Photographic evidence of completed project must be provided
- The owner must agree to repay any grant money should the property be sold within five years of the awarding of the grant.
Retrospective work is not covered by the grant
More here: www.ccc.govt.nz/quickanswers/community/funding/f3514.asp
Heritage Incentive Fund
The Heritage Incentive Fund to provide financial assistance to owners of heritage items listed in the Christchurch City Plan and Banks Peninsula District Plan. Owners can apply to Council for a heritage grant. Money from the fund is awarded to owners in the form of a lump-sum grant.
What Can The Grant Be Used For?
Owners of listed heritage buildings can apply for grants towards the following:
- Conservation of external and internal heritage fabric
- Seismic strengthening to a statutory standard.
- Fire and/or egress to a statutory standard.
- Reimbursement of Council resource consent fees.
- Consultant fees for preliminary professional studies such as the preparation of conservation and condition reports, maintenance plans and structural reports.
How Is My Application Assessed?
- Applications for grants are assessed against a range of criteria, some of which are listed below:
- Impact on heritage value: how will the heritage values of the item be affected?
- Continued use: Will the grant enhance or assist in the continued or compatible new use of the heritage item?
- Assisting other objectives: such as adding to the visitor interest of the city; supporting community interests in the city; or significantly contributing to the character and street scape qualities?
How Is The Grant Amount Assessed?
The grant is based on a percentage of the value of the conservation works. This will usually be from 20% to 40% of the value of this work.
The % value will reflect the heritage value of the property and its Heritage Group listing, (see heritage information leaflet ‘Heritage Listings’), as well as the conservation and heritage benefits of the work.
Improvements for commercial or personal benefits such as internal fit-outs, new kitchens or bathrooms, carpeting, re-decoration, lighting, etc will not be considered as the basis for calculating the % value of a conservation grant.
More Info here: www.historic.org.nz/
Funding for insulation and clean, efficient heating
Who is eligible?
Homeowners with houses built before 2000.
What can I use the funding for?
Funding can be used to install:
- Ceiling and underfloor insulation, up to a required standard (please note you need to get both ceiling and underfloor insulation done, if at all possible, to qualify for funding).
- A clean, efficient heating device in the primary living space, if the primary living space does not already have a heating device that meets current standards. You are only eligible for funding for the installation of clean heating if your insulation first meets standards.
- The following energy efficiency measures where necessary: a hot water cylinder wrap, pipe lagging, draught-stopping, and a ground moisture barrier
What funding will be available?
The government provides funding to the levels outlined below
| Insulation | Clean heating | |
| All eligible houses | 33% of the total cost up to $1300 (incl GST) | $500 (incl GST) |
| Homeowners who hold Community Services Cards | 60% of the total cost * | $1200 (incl GST) |
| Landlords with tenants who hold Community Services Cards | 60% of the total cost | $500 (incl GST) |
More details at: www.energywise.govt.nz/funding-available/insulation-and-clean-heating
Solar Hot Water Heating Grant
The Procedure:
Step 1: Choose an eligible packaged solar water heating system
Step 2: Get a quote from the relevant supplier, or an EECA-registered installer. The quote should include the total cost of the system, all installation costs, building consent and GST.
Step 3: If you decide to purchase the system, obtain a building consent. It is the home owner’s responsibility to obtain a building consent, however your installer may be able to help with this process.
Step 4: Have your system installed by your installer, and signed off in accordance with the building consent.
Step 5: Complete the grant claim form with your installer.
Step 6: Send the Grant Claim Form to EECA. You will also need to provide a copy of your invoice to verify the installation and a bank deposit slip or top of bank statement to confirm your bank account details for payment.
Clean Heat Project
Subsidies for Christchurch homeowners
Homeowner subsidy
- The subsidy provides financial incentives to encourage homeowners who are currently using an open fire or older-style inefficient solid fuel burner as their main form of heating in the main living area, and do not qualify for full assistance.
- An interest free loan is also offered as an alternative to the subsidy.
- The subsidy includes (GST inclusive):
- $3.50/m2 towards ceiling and/or underfloor insulation to bring your home up to building code; and
- $500 towards a Clean Heat Project approved appliance such as an electric heat pump, pellet fire, fully enclosed fixed-flued liquid fuel or gas appliance, or ultra low emission solid fuel burner; or
- $300 towards an electric night storage appliance; and
- $100 towards the sealing or removal of an existing fireplace or ultra-low emission solid fuel appliance.
More Info Here: www.cleanheat.org.nz/subsidies-for-christchurch-homeowners.html