Renters often assume energy improvement grants are only for homeowners. In fact, most major government energy schemes are accessible to renters — you simply need to meet the eligibility criteria and, for physical improvements, your landlord’s consent. This guide sets out every grant and rebate available to private and social renters in 2026.
For the full overview of energy rights as a renter, see Renters’ Energy Rights.
Grant schemes that require landlord consent (improvement works)
These grants fund physical improvements to your home — insulation, heating systems, or renewable energy. Since they require access to the property, your landlord must agree.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
- What: Fully funded insulation (loft, cavity wall, external wall) and heat pump installations
- Who qualifies: Tenants receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based JSA/ESA, Child Benefit (income-qualified) — and living in a property rated EPC D–G
- Landlord cost: Zero — the entire cost is funded by energy suppliers under a legal obligation
- How to apply: Contact your local council’s ECO4 team, or go directly to a registered installer (check gov.uk for the ECO4 supplier list)
- Current status: Running until March 2026 — check gov.uk for the successor scheme
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
- What: Loft and cavity wall insulation for homes rated EPC D–G
- Who qualifies: Renters in EPC D–G homes — eligibility is broader than ECO4 (not restricted to benefit recipients, though benefit recipients may get more extensive works)
- Landlord cost: Zero for qualifying households; partial subsidy for others
- How to apply: Via your local council or gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2)
- What: Insulation and low-carbon heating (heat pumps) for homes that do not use gas for heating
- Who qualifies: Households earning under £36,000 per year (approximately) living in homes rated EPC E, F, or G without a gas boiler — including renters
- Landlord cost: Zero for eligible households
- How to apply: Via your local council — check if your council is participating
Grant schemes that do not require landlord consent (bill support)
These are applied to your energy account directly and do not require access to your property or landlord involvement.
Warm Home Discount
- Amount: £150 rebate on your electricity bill
- When: Automatically applied October–March each year (Core Group 2)
- Who qualifies: Households receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (Core Group 1 — automatic), or households on other qualifying means-tested benefits where DWP data matches to the energy supplier (Core Group 2 — automatic if your supplier participates)
- Broader Group: If you are not automatically matched but have a low income and high energy costs, apply directly to your energy supplier (limited places — first come, first served)
- Important: You must be the account holder. The rebate is applied as a credit on your electricity account — it does not reduce your direct debit.
Cold Weather Payment
- Amount: £25 per 7-day period of cold weather (forecast or recorded temperature of 0°C or below for 7 consecutive days)
- Who qualifies: Households receiving Pension Credit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA, Universal Credit (with a health condition or child under 5), Support for Mortgage Interest — automatic payment, no application needed
- Status: Cold Weather Payments were made permanent in 2020; they replaced the previous voluntary scheme
Winter Fuel Payment (reduced from 2024/25)
- Amount: £200 (under 80) or £300 (80+) — but now means-tested from winter 2024/25
- Who qualifies from 2024/25: Recipients of Pension Credit or other qualifying means-tested benefits only — the universal payment for all pensioners was abolished
- How paid: Automatic, direct to bank account — no separate application needed if you receive Pension Credit
- Impact on renters: Renters in retirement who do not receive Pension Credit may no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment. Check eligibility via gov.uk/pension-credit
Household Support Fund
- What: Local council payments for households struggling with energy and food costs
- Who qualifies: Low-income households — each council sets its own criteria
- How to apply: Contact your local council directly; search “[your council] Household Support Fund”
Summary table: grants for renters
| Grant | Requires landlord consent | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Yes | Benefit recipients, EPC D–G | Full works funded |
| GBIS | Yes | EPC D–G homes | Insulation funded |
| HUG2 | Yes | Low income, no gas, EPC E–G | Full works funded |
| Warm Home Discount | No | Qualifying benefits | £150/year |
| Cold Weather Payment | No | Qualifying benefits | £25/7-day cold period |
| Winter Fuel Payment | No | Pension Credit recipients | £200–£300/year |
| Household Support Fund | No | Low income (council discretion) | Variable |
How to apply
- For improvement grants: Start with your local council’s energy efficiency team — they can coordinate ECO4, GBIS, and HUG2 referrals
- For Warm Home Discount: Check your energy supplier’s website — automatic if eligible, or apply for Broader Group
- For Cold Weather/Winter Fuel: No action needed — automatic if you receive qualifying benefits