This week is Big National Energy Saving Week, a campaign to help people cut their fuel bills. We thought we would explain more about the Green Homes Grant which many of our landlords are entitled to. Simple changes can help save energy and money, protecting the environment at a smaller cost. The Green Houses Grant is available from the government, however, the voucher, and any improvements must be completed by 21st March 2022.
How Much am I Entitled to?
The Green Homes Grant vouchers will cover up to two-thirds of the cost of eligible improvements. This will cover costs up to £5,000. If you or someone in your households receive certain benefits, there may be a chance you are eligible to receive a voucher covering 100% of the costs. The maximum value for this is £10,000.
Who is Eligible?
Anybody who lives in England and matches one of the following may be eligible:
- you own your own home (including long-leaseholders and shared ownership)
- you own your own park home on a residential site (including Gypsy and Traveller sites)
- you’re a residential landlord in the private or social rented sector (including local authorities and housing associations)
Newly built homes which have not been previously occupied are not eligible for the Green Homes Grant.
Click here to check if you are eligible for a Green Homes Grant via the Gov.UK website.
Landlords
It is now a legal requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate, and most properties must have a rating of E under the minimum energy efficiency standard. If you do decide to apply for a Green House Grant, you must provide proof of:
- your property meeting the minimum energy efficiency standard
- an exemption to the minimum energy efficiency standard
Tenants
Unfortunately, tenants do not apply for the Green Homes Grant, however, you can use the Simple Energy Advice website to check what energy-efficient improvements may be best suited for your home. This will help build an energy efficiency plan which you can give to your landlord, or your property management company. The Lettings Cloud are more than happy to help with any tenants queries on making their home more energy-efficient.
What can the Grant be used for?
We recommend using the Simple Energy Advice website to check what improvements can be made on your home. Energy Performance Certificates and a retrofit assessor can also offer advice.
Primary Measures
- Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
- Cavity wall insulation
- Under-floor insulation (solid floor, suspended floor)
- Loft insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Pitched roof insulation
- Room in roof insulation
- Insulating a park home
- Air source heat pump
- Ground source heat pimp
- Solar thermal (liquid-filled flat plate or evacuated tube collector)
- Biomass boiler
- Hybrid heat pump
Secondary Measures
In order to install any secondary measures, at least one primary measure needs to be completed already. The voucher can be used to cover any of the following secondary measures, however, it cannot exceed the amount you get for primary measures. Vouchers for secondary measures will only be redeemed once the primary measure has been installed and the voucher redeemed for that measure. Secondary measures include:
- Draught proofing
- Double or triple glazing (where replacing single glazing)
- Secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing)
- Energy-efficient replacement doors (replacing single glazed or solid doors installed before 2002)
- Hot water tank thermostat
- Hot water tank insulation
- Heating controls (such as appliance thermostats, smart heating controls, zone controls, intelligent delayed start thermostat, thermostatic radiator valves)
What can the Grant Cover?
Costs including labour, materials and VAT are all covered by the voucher. The work cannot be completed by yourself, immediate family or a member of your household.
All work which is being covered by the voucher must be completed by a TrustMark-registered installer who is registered for the scheme. Your installer will also need to meet PAS and MCS standards when installing your improvements.
For more information on how to redeem a voucher, and getting a quote, please visit Gov.Uk Green Homes Grant.
Please get in touch with The Lettings Cloud to discuss more about the Green Homes Grant and any questions you may have.
