"Landlords have a real opportunity to improve the standard of their properties while at the same time making a genuine difference to tenants’ lives, especially those who are vulnerable or struggling with rising energy bills"
- Kate Hallewell - Energy Saving Genie
Landlords are being urged to review government-funded energy efficiency schemes that could cover the cost of upgrades to their rental properties, despite a widespread assumption that privately rented homes are not eligible.
Several schemes, including the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), offer grants for improvements such as cavity and solid wall insulation, roof and floor insulation, first-time central heating, renewable heating systems, and district heating connections. Eligibility is based on tenant circumstances, not the landlord’s, which means many rental properties can qualify.
“Energy efficiency shouldn’t be a luxury," explained founder of Energy Saving Genie, Kate Hallewell, "Landlords have a real opportunity to improve the standard of their properties while at the same time making a genuine difference to tenants’ lives, especially those who are vulnerable or struggling with rising energy bills. With Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) set to tighten by 2030, grants like ECO4 and GBIS can help landlords future-proof their properties without absorbing the full cost themselves.”
Under the ECO4 scheme, privately rented properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G may be eligible if the tenant receives benefits or meets certain vulnerability criteria. While landlord consent is required, tenants can start the application process independently.
Similarly, GBIS applies to homes with an EPC rating between D and G and located in Council Tax bands A to D in England, or A to E in Scotland and Wales. The tenant must fall within a low-income or vulnerable category. Again, the landlord must approve the works, but applications can be initiated by the tenant.
Energy Saving Genie, a UK-based grant support platform, offers a free online tool to help landlords quickly assess whether their properties might qualify. Many are finding that support is more accessible than expected and could significantly boost both property value and tenant comfort.
To check eligibility, landlords can visit Energy Saving Genie's website and complete a short online quiz.
