You may be entitled to a reduction if someone with a substantial and permanent disability is resident in your home. To qualify for a reduction in the Tax and Water Services Charges the property has to meet certain criteria listed on the website.

Click on the Highland Council link above for further details and how to find out if you qualify.  Application forms are available at the Council service points.

Are you elderly or disabled? Do you need a small-scale, non-emergency repair or maintenance done in your house?  Leaky tap?  Curtain track to put up?  Then help may be at hand.  Contact Pentland Housing Association at The Cottage, Davidsons Lane, Thurso on 01847 892507 to register.

The scheme, masterminded by PHA and the Caithness Community Care Forum, employs a full time handyman (Dennis Simpson) who will help elderly or disabled people resident in Caithness with small jobs like these.  All you have to do is register to join the scheme by contacting Pentland Housing Association on the number above.   The person requesting the work will only have to pay for the cost of the materials used, but not for the handyman's time which is paid for by Pentland Housing Association (part funded by Communities Scotland).

Elderly and disabled owner-occupiers can qualify for local authority grants for improvement and repair grants and the cost of adaptations.