How Landlords can Obtain 100% Funding to Comply with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations

Posted on December 8th, 2023

**CRITERIA MUST BE MET TO QUALIFY FOR FUNDING**

There is currently funding available to improve the energy efficiency of Privately Rented properties. This funding is available via the Government E.C.O. scheme, which obligates energy companies to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.

Landlords benefit as the energy efficiency measures will be installed free of charge and can increase the value of the property, plus will help to ensure that the property complies with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations.

Tenants will also benefit, due to having a warmer home and lower fuel bills, which has been shown to result in lower tenant turnover.

What energy saving measures are available on the Grant scheme?:

There is currently up to 100% funding available for the following energy saving measures:

• Solar panels to provide free electricity – Landlords will also benefit from an additional income stream by being able to sell excess electricity back to the National grid.
• Air Source Heat Pumps (a renewable energy central heating system)
• Loft Insulation
• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Solid Wall Insulation (both Internal Wall Insulation and External Wall Insulation)

Who can apply for a Government Grant?:

There are three criteria that have to be met for the property to qualify for funding:

1. The property needs to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G. Unfortunately the funding is not available to properties that have an existing EPC rating of A to D. If the property does not have an EPC then we will carry out an energy assessment of the property.

2. The funding is directed at properties which use Oil, LPG, Electric, Coal or Wood for heating. If the property already has Mains Gas Central Heating then we will not be able to obtain funding unfortunately.

3. Any tenant living in the property meets one of the following three conditions:

• A tenant has a long term health condition, for example asthma, arthritis, a disability, depression, diabetes etc (we will need their GP to sign a form as evidence of this).
• The total income of the property is below £31,000 per year
• If any tenant living in the property is in receipt of one of the following tax credits or benefits:

 

Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Income based Job Seekers Allowance, Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Benefit* (*subject to number of children in property and income thresholds)

 

Please note that to qualify for funding a tenant only needs to meet condition a or b or c as listed above.

 

 

How can a Landlord apply for Funding?:

Landlords can visit the website at www.energysavinggrants.org and complete the Eligibility Grant checker. Landlords can also contact Energy Saving Grants on 03302230333

If your tenant meets the criteria listed above, they will arrange for a free, no obligation retrofit survey to be carried out on the property to assess its suitability for energy saving measures to be installed. Any funding is subject to a retrofit survey of the property. They do not charge for this service.

Any work carried out in your property will be installed by a Trustmark accredited installation company and all work is guaranteed for up to 25 years. Funding is in high demand and is strictly allocated on a First Come, First Served basis. Any funding that you receive does not have to be re-paid.

 

Article by Andrew at Energy Saving Grants