Here is how to apply for a renovation grant for a stove guard
1. Check whether you are eligible for the renovation grant
Households in which at least one resident is aged 65 or over can apply for a renovation grant. The grant may be awarded if the income of the people living in the household stays at or below the income limits defined by ARA.
See the detailed conditions and income limits here.
2. Can the renovation grant also be used for installing a stove guard?
Yes. A grant can be awarded for stove safety equipment, so there is a good chance of receiving a renovation grant for installing a stove guard, provided the other eligibility criteria are also met.
3. Ask for a quote for the stove guard installation
The grant can cover up to 50% of the approved renovation costs. Finnish-made Safera stove guards , which comply with the requirements of the European stove guard standard EN 50615, cost roughly EUR 300-400 depending on the model.
Installation takes an electrician about one hour, and the installation cost is typically around EUR 100-150. You can get a more exact quote from your local electrician: ask about Safera stove guard installation .
After the renovation grant, the total cost of the stove guard and installation is usually around EUR 250-300.
Read why a Safera stove guard is often the right choice for an older person or someone with dementia.
4. Submit the application yourself or use an agent; help is available free of charge
You can use an agent when applying for the grant. The agent can, for example, be a relative or the renovation advisers of the Central Association for the Welfare of Older People, who help applicants free of charge (tel. 09 350 8600).
The grant is applied for either through ARA's online service or by submitting a paper application to ARA. Applications submitted through the online service are processed faster.
You can find more detailed instructions for submitting the application in this ARA guide.
5. Wait for the decision before installing the stove guard
One of the conditions for receiving the grant is that the work must not be started before the grant decision has been made. The renovation grant is paid afterwards to the recipient based on the actual costs incurred. Start the work only after receiving the grant decision, or apply separately for permission to begin earlier.
The grant recipient must be the payer of the renovation invoices. In other words, invoices and receipts for the actual costs must be issued to the person receiving the grant.
More information and help with the application
Advisory service of the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA)
Renovation grant for housing repairs for older people and people with disabilities
- Email korjausavustus.ara@ara.fi
- Phone 029 525 0818 (Tue-Wed 9-11 and 12-15).
- Renovation grant guide, download here .
- General information about the renovation grant is available here
Renovation advisers of the Central Association for the Welfare of Older People
The renovation advisory service of the Central Association for the Welfare of Older People helps people aged 65 or over assess the repair and modification needs of their home, promote renovation work and apply for grants.