Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF)
The Interim Measures Alarm Fund (IMAF), managed and delivered by Homes England, provides government funding to install interim fire alarm systems in residential buildings.
Applies to England
The fund has been set up to avoid the current reliance on costly waking watch arrangements to manage the risk to life associated with fire.
It aims to:
- improve resident safety
- reduce the financial burden on leaseholders
- support remediation programmes
- reduce reliance on manual fire wardens
- install more effective, long-term alarm systems
This fund is separate from, and builds on the work of:
- Waking Watch Relief Fund 2021
- Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2022
- Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023
Information and guidance for previous schemes is available on GOV.UK.
All new applications for government funding to install interim alarms to replace, or mitigate the need for, waking watch must be made to the IMAF from 1 April 2026.
Who can apply
You can apply for funding as a private or a social sector applicant, for buildings that are:
- located in England
- residential or student accommodation
You must be:
- a Responsible Entity or Responsible Person
- an authorised representative of a Responsible Entity
Leaseholders or residents can not apply for funding from the IMAF and should contact the building owner or managing agent.
Read the IMAF guidance to find out more about the fund and who can apply.
Apply for funding
Read the IMAF application guidance to find out how to apply.
You will need to:
-
Apply for funding from the IMAF for your building
-
Once eligibility has been confirmed — instruct a firm from our supplier panel to issue a quote for the work
-
Once your quote has been reviewed and approved — enter into a grant funding agreement with Homes England
-
Once work has been completed — provide evidence to allow grant funding to be paid
If you need help applying
Email IMAF@homesengland.gov.uk.