£1 Billion Property Improvement Schemes for Landlords

Landlords can grab a share of £1 billion from the government by launching two new property improvement schemes.

After the disastrous Green Deal and other short-lived initiatives to upgrade energy efficiency for rental properties, ministers have decided to give helping landlords another go.

Landlords can apply for free or cut-price insulation in a bid to cut energy bills for tenants.

To qualify, rented homes must have an energy performance rating of D or less and pay council tax in bands A to D in England or A to E in Wales.

Applications are open to landlords and tenants, although the renters must have permission from their landlord to apply. GBIS aims to support 300,000 applications and 2,500 jobs for installers.

What GBIS covers

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) covers:

• Cavity wall insulation
• Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
• Loft insulation
• Flat or pitched roof insulation
• Underfloor insulation
• Solid floor insulation
• Park home insulation
• Room-in-roof insulation

Online applications are open with a check tool asking how a home is heated and insulated and if the tenant receives benefits.

Energy suppliers will contact customers if they are eligible for support.

After a property assessment, landlords get a report listing the improvements and costs. Landlords do not have to go ahead if the assessment is wrong or the costs are too high.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “Boosting the energy efficiency of homes creates the best long-term protection against fuel poverty for the most vulnerable. That’s why we are helping families with extra support to make their homes warmer while saving hundreds on energy costs.”

GBIS runs alongside the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which supplies energy efficiency improvements to low-income families. GBIS was formerly known as ECO+.

The scheme ends in March 2026.

…and another £50 million  for easier accessibility

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities offers landlords help with improving accessibility in private rented homes for disabled or elderly tenants in England.

Ministers have put together £50 million to help landlords adapt their properties so tenants can live independently for longer.

The money is available for tenants or a Disabled Facilities Grant for landlords.

Both grants are obtained from local councils.

Someone who would benefit from the grants must live in the property.

What does the grant offer?

The funding is available immediately - and the grant does not affect any benefits the tenant might receive. Up to £30,000 is paid in England and £36,000 in Wales.

To qualify, tenants must show they:

• are physically disabled
• have a learning disability
• have age-related needs
• are autistic
• have a cognitive impairment, like dementia
• have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease
• have a terminal illness
• have a mental health condition

The grant can be spent on various accessibility improvements, such as:

• Widening doors and installing ramps or grab rails
• Improving access to rooms and facilities, for example, with a stairlift or level access shower
• improving access to your garden
• building an extension, for example, a downstairs bedroom
• providing a heating system suitable for your needs
• adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use