Follow-up advice for Landlords

Replacing the ECO (Energy Company Obligation) scheme, the UK Government has announced the Warm Homes Plan, designed to boost energy-efficiency in the UK.

For landlords, the Warm Homes Plan aims to help improve property asset value, ensure compliance with new standards, and reduce rental income risk by creating more desirable, lower-cost homes for tenants. The initiative aims to provide financial tools to upgrade rental properties to EPC C by 2030, by accessing low or zero-interest loans, grants for energy-efficient improvements (insulation, heat pumps, solar PV), and caps mandatory landlord investment at £10K per property over 10 years. If improvements exceed this amount, landlords can register for an exemption.

The Warm Homes Plan will be rolled out in phases, so more details about how the scheme will work, including eligibility, will be announced later this year - we'll share advice and support when we have more information.

We have an ongoing list of landlords looking for funding options for when the situation becomes clearer. We can't guarantee your eligibility, as we are currently unclear as to the eligibility criteria, but if you'd like us to add your details, please get in touch with our Landlord Liaison Officer at: landlords@cep.org.uk or 0800 954 1956.

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The Warm Homes Local grant is currently oversubscribed, but Cornwall Council are contemplating bidding for more government funding. To this end, you may wish to consider applying for this grant, on the basis that Cornwall Council will not be able to assist immediately, but may be able to do so later this year. To register your interest, visit GOV.UK. It may prove well worth making an application, to both register your interest and to highlight this funding is a much needed resource in Cornwall.

If you're a landlord with two properties, if both properties are within the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) postcode, the tenants’ income will not be a factor, but the scheme will look to decarbonise the properties by replacing the existing heating system with a low-carbon variant AND the landlord will only be eligible for the first property at no cost, with the second property requiring a 50% contribution.

Cornwall Council have partnered with Lendology CIC who are able to provide loans for the installation of energy efficiency measures, such as solar PV, heat pumps and batteries. Whilst this is not a grant, it does enable you to choose your own contractor and systems without delay: Green Home Improvement Loans and Lendology CIC. We can make a referral to Lendology and/or provide details of reputable local installers - please contact our Landlord Liaison Officer at: landlords@cep.org.uk or 0800 954 1956.

This loan offering can also be used in conjunction with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which is a partial grant towards the cost of a heat pump, and in limited circumstances, a biomass boiler.

At the end of your EPC document are recommendations to improve the score. It might be helpful to use GOV.UK's Find an energy certificate service.