Funding confirmed for EPC improvements – but will it be enough?
A new funding pot has been announced to support energy efficiency improvements in England, with grant cash to be focussed on low income homes
The money will be distributed through the ‘Warm Homes: Local Grant’ scheme, with landlords eligible to receive up to £30,000 towards improvements to their first rental property, and £15,000 for work on additional homes to let. Properties must have an EPC rating of D to G.
The funding will be capped at a maximum of £15,000 per home for energy performance upgrades, and £15,000 for low carbon heating. Landlords will be eligible for full funding for the first property, and will need to contribute 50% of funding for any additional homes.
It will be distributed by eligible local authorities, with the Government stressing the money will be focussed on improving the ‘energy performance and heating systems of low-income homes’ in England – across privately-owned properties.
The call comes after Energy Security Ed Miliband confirmed a consultation will be launched on plans to increase the minimum energy efficiency standard for rental properties to a C rating by 2030.
Who can claim?
There are currently three different eligibility criteria:
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Eligible postcodes: These are based on deprivation factors – and you can check whether your properties are eligible by clicking here.
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Benefit claimants: Tenants who are in receipt of certain benefits, including Universal Credit and housing benefit or who meet the existing ECO4 Flex Criteria.
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Low-income households: Households whose gross income is below £36,000 a year.
The onus will be on councils to check that those claiming grants fall into one of these brackets.
As a landlord, what do I need to do?
While the cash is not yet available the first thing to do is to check funding could be available in your area, as outlined above.
For landlords to benefit from the Warm Homes: Local Grant they must:
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Express permission for their details to be shared and stored on a central database of landlords participating in the Warm Homes: Local Grant
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Agree to support DESNZ-led surveys or evaluations regarding PRS uptake in the Warm Homes: Local Grant
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Confirm that the Minimum Financial Assistance threshold of £315,000 will not be exceeded by the landlord receiving the proposed assistance
Eligible local authorities will be able to express an interest in accepting funding next month (October).
There won’t be a limit on how many properties a landlord can claim for, however there is a maximum amount that can be paid out. This upper limit is £315,000 and includes any previous grant funding claimed for improvements.
The NRLA has welcomed the move, but would like to see support available for those landlords who do not fall within the remit of the scheme.
NRLA Deputy Director for Campaigns Meera Chindooroy said: “Any grant funding to pay for energy improvements is to be welcomed and we are pleased to see the investment is not limited to a single tenure.
“However, the nature of the scheme means that huge swathes of landlords across the country will be, quite literally, left out in the cold.
“It’s also unclear if there will be enough to pay for improvements across the areas already selected to benefit.
“The PRS has some of the oldest, and hardest to improve, properties within the UK housing stock and what we would like to see is a comprehensive package of financial support available to landlords across the board.”
More information
For full details of the grant scheme click here.
For more information on the NRLA’s ongoing energy efficiency campaign click here.
