Energy Grants for UK Landlords
Schemes and eligibility to check
From ECO4/GBIS history to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and local authority routes, this page helps landlords plan what to check. Scheme dates, eligibility, funding levels, and EPC impact must be verified before decisions are made.
Indicative • EPC data where available • Verify eligibility
ECO4 — Energy Company Obligation
Up to 100% fundedA major grant route funded by large energy suppliers. The ECO4 phase was scheduled to run until March 2026, so check current successor or transitional rules before relying on it. It targets lower-income households and fuel poverty; private landlords may access support when tenants meet eligibility criteria.
What's covered
- •Loft insulation (270mm)
- •Cavity wall insulation
- •Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
- •Floor insulation
- •Heat pump installation
- •Solar PV
- •First-time central heating
- •Heating controls
Eligibility criteria
- •Your tenant receives a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Tax Credits, etc.)
- •Property has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G
- •Landlord consent required (you must agree to the works)
- •Property in England, Scotland or Wales
How to apply
Contact a TrustMark-registered ECO4 installer directly, or apply through your energy supplier. They will assess your tenant's eligibility and your property's suitability at no cost.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Free or subsidisedA complementary scheme to ECO4, targeting single insulation measures to a wider range of households. Unlike ECO4's whole-house approach, GBIS focuses on one key insulation measure per property. It has a broader eligibility base than ECO4.
What's covered
- •Loft insulation
- •Cavity wall insulation
- •Solid wall insulation (in some cases)
- •Flat roof insulation
- •Pitched roof insulation
- •Solid floor insulation
- •Underfloor insulation
Eligibility criteria
- •Property is in Council Tax Band A–D (in England) OR tenant receives a qualifying benefit
- •EPC rating of D, E, F or G for the 'general group' (A–D band)
- •Landlords can apply on behalf of tenants
- •Property in England, Scotland or Wales
How to apply
Apply via the GOV.UK GBIS portal, through Ofgem, or contact a registered installer who can check eligibility. No cost to the tenant; landlords grant access.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
£7,500 grantA direct government grant for replacing fossil-fuel boilers with low-carbon heating systems. The £7,500 voucher is applied at the point of installation by an MCS-certified installer — you don't need to claim it back.
What's covered
- •Air source heat pumps: £7,500 grant
- •Ground source heat pumps: £7,500 grant
- •Heat pump-driven heating systems in general
Eligibility criteria
- •Property in England or Wales
- •Existing boiler being replaced (not electric storage heaters)
- •Property must have loft and cavity wall insulation (if applicable)
- •Installation by MCS-certified contractor
- •One grant per property
How to apply
Contact an MCS-certified heat pump installer. They will apply for the voucher on your behalf before installation. The grant is typically deducted from the invoice; confirm cashflow and eligibility before committing.
Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LAFE)
Varies by councilUnder ECO4's Flexible Eligibility mechanism, local councils can refer households that don't meet standard eligibility criteria. This is especially useful for fuel-poor tenants who don't receive qualifying benefits but are in energy-inefficient homes.
What's covered
- •Same improvements as ECO4 (insulation, heating upgrades)
- •Referrals processed via council — access to ECO4 funding
Eligibility criteria
- •Tenant is in fuel poverty or has a low income
- •Council determines eligibility based on their Statement of Intent
- •Property in England — check your local council's LAFE criteria
How to apply
Contact your local council's energy efficiency or housing team. Ask if they have an active ECO4 LAFE scheme. Many councils have dedicated referral forms or helplines.
Warm Homes: Local Grant (formerly SHDF/LAD)
Up to £15,000The government's Warm Homes Plan includes a Local Grant strand replacing the previous Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Local Authority Delivery schemes. Delivers upgrades for low-income households in energy-inefficient homes via local authority administration.
What's covered
- •Insulation measures
- •Low-carbon heating systems
- •Solar PV
- •Multiple measures in a single visit
Eligibility criteria
- •Household income under £36,000 (or equivalent means test)
- •EPC Band D–G
- •Administered by local authorities — check your council
- •Private rented sector properties can be included
How to apply
Check your local council's website for the Warm Homes Local Grant. Applications typically open in waves — register interest early as funding is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can private landlords get ECO4 grants?
Potentially, but indirectly. ECO4 works through tenant eligibility and property criteria. Funding level, required consent, access, and scope should be confirmed with current scheme guidance and the installer before assuming works are fully funded.
Does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme apply to rental properties?
The £7,500 BUS grant can be available to private landlords replacing a gas or oil boiler with an air or ground source heat pump. Your MCS-certified installer handles the grant application. BUS generally does not use a tenant income test, but eligibility and property criteria should be confirmed.
Do I have to pay anything back if I sell the property?
These schemes are normally structured as grants rather than loans, but landlords should confirm any scheme-specific conditions, clawback rules, and sale implications before committing.
What if my tenant doesn't qualify for ECO4?
Try three routes: (1) GBIS, which has a broader eligibility base (Council Tax Band A–D is enough), (2) Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LAFE) if your tenant is fuel-poor but not on benefits, (3) Warm Homes Local Grant via your council. One of these will usually apply.
Will grants still be available after 2026?
Some scheme windows listed here reached scheduled end dates in March 2026, while BUS is scheduled to run longer. Check GOV.UK, Ofgem, your local authority, and qualified installers before assuming eligibility, funding level, or timing.