If you're a landlord with a property rated EPC D, E, F, or G, there's significant government grant money available right now — and most landlords don't know about it.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme can fund up to £30,000 worth of energy improvements per property. For private landlords, the first property is fully funded; additional properties receive 50% co-funding. With the 2030 EPC C deadline now confirmed, this is the most direct route to getting your properties upgraded at little or no cost.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is the Warm Homes Local Grant?
The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) is a government-funded scheme administered by local councils across England. It was launched in 2025 as part of the government's Warm Homes Plan under Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
The scheme is designed to improve the energy efficiency of low-income homes — including privately rented properties. Local authorities receive a block of funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and distribute it to eligible households in their area.
By early 2026, the scheme had already delivered around 840 energy improvement measures across 490 households — and the programme is scaling up throughout 2026 as more councils activate their funding.
How Much Can Landlords Get?
The maximum grant per property is up to £30,000. Here's how it breaks down for landlords:
- First eligible property: 100% funded by the grant — no cost to you as the landlord
- Additional properties: 50% co-funding — you cover the other half
This is a per-property cap, not a per-landlord cap. If your portfolio has several low-EPC properties, each can potentially access the scheme.
What Work Does It Fund?
The Warm Homes Local Grant funds a wide range of energy improvement measures, including:
- Insulation: loft, cavity wall, solid wall (internal or external), floor insulation
- Low carbon heating: heat pumps (air source and ground source), solar thermal
- Solar PV panels: to reduce electricity bills and carbon footprint
- Double glazing and draft proofing: where these are the most cost-effective improvement
- Smart heating controls and upgrades
Measures are assessed by a retrofit coordinator or energy assessor, who recommends the right combination for your specific property type and current EPC rating.
Note: A standard gas boiler replacement is not eligible as a standalone measure. If a property needs heating work, the scheme funds heat pumps rather than like-for-like gas boiler replacements. However, packaged hybrid heating systems may qualify in certain circumstances.
Which Areas Are Covered?
Coverage varies by local authority. Each council bids for and receives its own WH:LG funding allocation, so availability depends on where your property is located.
Greater Manchester: Andy Burnham's Good Landlord Scheme
In March 2026, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced a dedicated Warm Homes Local Grant pathway for landlords who have signed up to his Good Landlord Charter. This makes GM one of the most attractive areas for landlords right now — with structured support and dedicated grant access.
Landlords in Greater Manchester can contact their local council (Manchester City, Salford, Stockport, etc.) or go through the Good Landlord Charter portal at gmgoodlandlord.org.uk.
London
The Mayor of London runs a Warmer Homes programme that draws on WH:LG funding. London landlords should check directly with their borough council, or visit london.gov.uk/warmer-homes to check eligibility.
How to Find Your Local Scheme
Coverage is expanding throughout 2026. To check if your council is participating:
- Apply online at gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant — the postcode checker will confirm if your area is covered
- Call the national helpline: 0800 098 7950 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–12pm)
- Contact your local council directly — many councils have a dedicated Energy Officer who handles WH:LG applications
If your area isn't currently covered, it's worth getting on a council's interest list. New areas are being added in tranches throughout 2026 as the programme scales.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility has two sides: the property, and the tenant.
Property Requirements
Your rental property must:
- Have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G (or be a park home with the equivalent energy performance)
- Be a domestic property in England
- Be the tenant's primary residence
Properties already rated EPC C or above are not eligible — the scheme is specifically targeted at the least energy-efficient homes.
Tenant Income Threshold
This is the key criterion many landlords miss: the tenant's income or benefit status must meet the eligibility threshold. Specifically, the tenant must either:
- Be in receipt of qualifying means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit, etc.), OR
- Have a household income at or below the local fuel poverty threshold (currently up to approximately £36,000 gross in most areas — check your local scheme for the exact figure)
If your tenant doesn't meet the income criteria, they won't qualify for the scheme. This is an important practical consideration when assessing which properties in your portfolio to prioritise.
Do I Need to Get My Tenant's Permission?
Yes. The tenant must consent to the works and cooperate with any surveys or installations. The application is made jointly or via the tenant — you cannot apply without their knowledge. In practice, most tenants welcome improvements that reduce their energy bills.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Check coverage: Use the gov.uk portal or call the helpline to confirm your local authority is participating
- Confirm tenant eligibility: Check whether your tenant is on qualifying benefits or within the income threshold
- Contact your local council: Request a home assessment — a retrofit coordinator will visit the property and recommend measures
- Agree the works: You'll receive a proposal outlining what will be installed and the estimated cost
- Sign the consent form: Both landlord and tenant must agree before works begin
- Installation: Work is carried out by council-approved contractors
- Completion: You receive a new EPC certificate once works are done — typically showing a 2–3 band improvement
The entire process from initial enquiry to completion typically takes 3–6 months depending on the local authority and contractor availability.
How This Connects to Your 2030 EPC C Deadline
Every landlord in England and Wales must reach EPC C by 1 October 2030 — for all tenancies, including existing ones. The Warm Homes Local Grant is one of the most powerful tools available to hit that target at minimal cost.
If your property is currently rated E or F, a full package of insulation and heating upgrades funded by this grant could take you from E to C in a single project — removing the compliance burden in one go.
Learn about the cheapest ways to improve your EPC rating →
The government's MEES regulations already prohibit new tenancies in properties below EPC E — and from 2030, that floor rises to EPC C. Getting upgrades done now means:
- You beat the 2030 rush (contractors will be overwhelmed as the deadline approaches)
- You avoid the risk of fines (currently up to £5,000 per non-compliant property)
- You access grant funding before it runs out — WH:LG allocations are finite
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the grant for multiple properties? Yes — but the funding structure changes. Your first eligible property gets 100% funding. For each additional property, you co-fund 50%. There's no cap on the number of properties you can put through the scheme, subject to local authority approval and funding availability.
Does my tenant need to be on benefits? Not necessarily. Tenants on qualifying means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, etc.) automatically qualify. But some councils also accept applications from households below a local income threshold, even without benefits. Check your local scheme for details.
What if my area isn't covered yet? Join your council's interest list and consider alternative schemes in the meantime. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) closed to new applications in January 2026, but ECO4 (also council-administered) remains open in some areas. Use our grant checker tool to explore all options by postcode.
Is this the same as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme? No. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a separate programme for owner-occupiers and some landlords who want to install a heat pump or biomass boiler. It provides a grant of £7,500 for air source heat pumps. The Warm Homes Local Grant covers a broader package of measures and is means-tested based on tenant income.
What happens to my EPC after the works? Once installation is complete, a new EPC survey will be carried out by an accredited assessor. Most properties that receive a full package of measures (insulation + heating) see a jump of 2–3 EPC bands. A property that was EPC E could realistically reach EPC C or above.
Take Action Now
Grant funding is limited and local authorities are processing applications in order. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that funding for your area will be fully committed.
First step: Use our grant checker tool to see what's available in your area based on your postcode.
If your local scheme is live, contact your council this week to start the process. Getting on the list now puts you ahead of the 2030 rush — and potentially gets your properties upgraded for free.