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Landlord Energy Efficiency Grants

Every grant scheme available to private landlords for EPC compliance upgrades in 2026 — amounts, eligibility, and how to apply.

Landlord Energy Efficiency Grants: The Complete 2026 Guide

Don't pay full price for EPC upgrades. Multiple grant schemes can cover a significant portion — or all — of the cost.

Written by EPCGuide Team
14 min read

The government has committed billions of pounds to improve the energy efficiency of UK homes. A substantial portion of that funding is accessible to private landlords — yet many still pay full price for upgrades that could have been partially or entirely covered by grants.

With all private rented properties needing to reach EPC C by October 2030, now is the time to understand what is available. This guide covers every major scheme: who qualifies, how much you can get, and the steps to apply.

Overview: What's Available

There are currently four main grant routes for private landlords, plus local authority top-up schemes in some areas. Here is a quick comparison:

SchemeMax ValueWhat It CoversKey Eligibility
ECO4Up to £20,000+Insulation, heating, heating controlsTenant on qualifying benefits OR low EPC in deprived area
Boiler Upgrade Scheme£7,500Air/ground source heat pumpsProperty must meet insulation requirements
Warm Homes: Local GrantUp to £15,000Insulation, heating, renewablesEPC D–G, low-income tenant or area
Great British Insulation SchemeVariableSingle insulation measureEPC D–G, income or area eligibility

ECO4: Energy Company Obligation

ECO4 is the largest single source of free energy efficiency funding for UK homes. The scheme legally requires large energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, OVO, and others) to fund improvements to low-income and low-energy-efficiency homes. For landlords, this can mean free insulation and heating upgrades worth thousands of pounds.

What ECO4 Typically Covers

  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
  • Loft insulation
  • Underfloor insulation
  • First-time central heating systems
  • Boiler replacements (in some cases)
  • Smart heating controls
  • Heat pumps (via ECO+ flex)

ECO4 Eligibility Routes

Route 1: Tenant on qualifying benefits

If your tenant receives Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, or certain other means-tested benefits, the property may qualify regardless of EPC rating.

Route 2: Area-based (ECO+ flex)

Properties rated EPC D, E, F, or G in areas with high levels of deprivation (using IMD data) may qualify through local authority flex routes, without requiring tenant benefit eligibility.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides a flat-rate grant towards the installation of low-carbon heating systems. It was extended through to 2028 and is particularly valuable for properties where a heat pump can replace an ageing gas boiler while also delivering significant EPC score gains.

£7,500
Air Source Heat Pump
Grant amount
£7,500
Ground Source Heat Pump
Grant amount
+10 to 20
Typical EPC Points
From heat pump installation

BUS Eligibility Requirements

  • Property must have a valid EPC
  • No outstanding recommendation for loft or cavity wall insulation on the EPC (must be done first)
  • Installer must be MCS certified
  • Grant paid directly to installer, reducing your invoice
  • One grant per property per scheme
  • Landlords and homeowners both eligible

Warm Homes: Local Grant

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is the government's newest flagship scheme, announced in January 2026 as part of the Warm Homes Plan. Delivered through local authorities, it provides up to £15,000 for energy efficiency improvements to privately rented homes rated EPC D to G.

Private landlords are specifically included in the scheme, provided the property is owner-occupied after improvements, or let to tenants meeting income criteria. This is a significant opportunity, particularly for landlords with older and harder-to-treat properties.

What It Covers

  • All insulation types (including solid wall)
  • Heat pumps and low-carbon heating
  • Solar panels and battery storage
  • Heating controls and smart thermostats
  • Double or triple glazing
  • Draught proofing and ventilation
  • Electric vehicle charging (in some local schemes)

Eligibility at a Glance

Property must be EPC D, E, F, or G rated
Tenant household income under £36,000 (varies by council)
OR property in qualifying lower-income area
Landlord contribution may be required (typically 50% for private rentals)
Delivery and criteria vary by local authority

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The Great British Insulation Scheme is a companion to ECO4, with broader eligibility. While ECO4 focuses on low-income households, GBIS is also available to properties rated EPC D to G with household incomes up to £31,000 (in some cases higher). It funds a single insulation measure per property — the most impactful one recommended.

GBIS vs ECO4

GBIS: One measure, broader income eligibility, D–G rated properties, funded through energy companies
ECO4: Multiple measures, lower income threshold, E–G priority but D included in flex routes

Typical GBIS Measures

  • Cavity wall insulation (most common)
  • Loft insulation (new or top-up)
  • Solid wall insulation (if cavity not suitable)
  • Flat roof or pitched roof insulation
  • Park home insulation

Local Authority and Devolved Nation Grants

Beyond national schemes, many local authorities operate their own grant programmes, funded by central government allocations or council budgets. These can supplement national schemes or provide funding for properties or works not covered elsewhere.

England

Local councils deliver the Warm Homes: Local Grant and may have additional housing improvement funds. Check your council's housing or energy efficiency pages.

Scotland

The Home Energy Scotland (HES) scheme provides loans and cashback of up to £15,000 for energy improvements. Landlords can access some HES products. Visit homeenergyscotland.org.

Wales

Nest and Warm Homes Wales provide support for private rented properties. Eligibility criteria differ from the English schemes. Visit gov.wales/nest-scheme.

Combining Multiple Grants (Stacking)

It is sometimes possible to use more than one scheme on the same property, dramatically reducing your out-of-pocket costs. The key is understanding which schemes can and cannot be combined.

Generally Compatible

  • ECO4 + BUS: Get insulation funded by ECO4, then claim BUS for heat pump
  • GBIS + BUS: GBIS covers insulation, BUS covers heat pump on separate application
  • ECO4 + Local Authority grant: Some local top-up schemes work alongside ECO4

Generally Not Compatible

  • ECO4 + WHLG for same measure: Cannot claim two grants for the same improvement
  • ECO4 + GBIS for same measure: Only one free insulation grant per type
  • BUS + another heating grant: BUS cannot be combined with other government heating grants for the same system

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Get an up-to-date EPC

    An EPC lodged in the last 10 years is generally acceptable, but a recent assessment gives you a more accurate score and up-to-date recommendations. This is your starting point for every grant application.

  2. 2

    Check your eligibility

    Use our grant checker tool to identify which schemes your property qualifies for, based on EPC rating, location, and tenant circumstances. Different routes have very different requirements.

  3. 3

    Contact an approved installer

    For ECO4 and GBIS, work through an energy company or TrustMark-registered ECO4 installer. For BUS, the installer must be MCS certified. Ask them to assess grant eligibility as part of their initial survey.

  4. 4

    Get your tenant's co-operation (if needed)

    For ECO4 benefit-route applications, your tenant must apply as the primary claimant. You will need to provide a letter of authority. Warm Homes: Local Grant may also require evidence of tenant income.

  5. 5

    Plan the order of works

    If combining ECO4 insulation with a BUS heat pump, insulation must be completed first. Plan sequencing carefully to avoid losing grant eligibility for later measures.

  6. 6

    Commission the works

    Grants are generally paid directly to the installer, reducing your invoice. You do not usually receive the grant as cash — your contribution is simply lower.

  7. 7

    Get a new EPC after works

    Once improvements are complete, commission a new EPC assessment to confirm your new rating. This is essential for demonstrating compliance and updating the EPC register.

Not Sure Which Grants You Qualify For?

Use our free grant checker tool. Enter your property details and we'll show which schemes are likely available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can landlords get grants for EPC improvements?

Yes. Several government schemes offer grants to private landlords, including ECO4 (free or subsidised insulation and heating), the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 towards heat pumps), and the Warm Homes: Local Grant (up to £15,000 for eligible properties). Eligibility criteria vary by scheme and local authority area.

How much can a landlord get in grants for EPC upgrades?

Depending on the property and which schemes are combined, landlords can receive anywhere from a few hundred pounds to over £30,000 in total support. ECO4 alone can cover insulation and heating worth £5,000–£20,000. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme adds £7,500 towards heat pumps. Stacking schemes is possible in some cases.

What is ECO4 and how does it work for landlords?

ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation 4) requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements. Landlords with tenants on qualifying benefits, or properties in areas with low energy efficiency scores, may be eligible for free insulation, heating upgrades, and other improvements. Landlords must give permission for works and usually sign a letter of authority.

Can landlords claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides £7,500 towards air source heat pump installation and £7,500 towards ground source heat pumps. Landlords are eligible provided the property meets the scheme's criteria (including no outstanding insulation recommendations on the EPC). The grant is paid directly to the registered MCS installer.

Can you combine multiple EPC grants on the same property?

Sometimes. ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant cannot usually be combined on the same measure, but the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is generally separate and can be claimed alongside other insulation grants. Great British Insulation Scheme can complement ECO4 in some cases. Always check current rules as schemes update.

Is ECO4 still available in 2026?

ECO4 is the current phase of the Energy Company Obligation scheme and is funded through to March 2026, with the government consulting on a successor scheme. Availability depends on local energy company activity in your area. Some installers still have ECO4 funding available for eligible properties — it is worth checking now before funding runs out.

What is the Great British Insulation Scheme?

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a separate scheme from ECO4, focused specifically on single-measure insulation improvements for properties rated D to G. It has broader eligibility than ECO4 — including higher-income households in lower-rated properties — and provides free or subsidised insulation to those who qualify.

Do I need to tell my tenants about grant work?

Yes. Tenants must be informed about any planned works and their written consent is generally required. Under ECO4 specifically, the tenant usually needs to be the named applicant if they are claiming on the basis of benefits eligibility. Landlord co-operation (via a letter of authority) is then required.

Sources

GOV.UK: Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme(accessed March 2026)(opens in new tab)GOV.UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme: guidance for homeowners and landlords(accessed March 2026)(opens in new tab)GOV.UK: Warm Homes: Local Grant(accessed March 2026)(opens in new tab)GOV.UK: Great British Insulation Scheme(accessed March 2026)(opens in new tab)Home Energy Scotland: Landlord loans and grants for energy efficiency(accessed March 2026)(opens in new tab)

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