Don’t you feel time is passing quicker every day!?

We are coming up to the Xmas shopping period (!) and awaiting the Easter Eggs that are going to be coming with the Renters Rights Bill, EPC re-imagining in line with the Net Zero nonsense and the implementation of whatever tax thefts ‘Westmonster’ is going to announce in the 2025 budget. Perhaps it’s time to see what ‘government’ is handing out with one hand before taking back with the other while the options are still there.

The Home Energy Model will replace the SAP for the energy rating of dwellings. It will be implemented alongside the Future Homes Standard (changes to part 6, Part L of the Building Regulations in 2025.(probably 2026 in government imaginings of the calendar!

Grants and Support for Landlords – EPC Upgrade Works (England & Wales + Local Examples)

Let’s make an attempt to provide a summary of available grants, discounts, and funding schemes for landlords in England and Wales to improve EPC ratings (insulation, heating, windows, etc.), followed by local examples for London, Cardiff, and Swansea. Information is current as of September 2025 but subject to change.

England – National Schemes

Scheme / Programme	Scope	Landlord Relevance	Notes
Energy Company Obligation (ECO / ECO4)	Insulation, heating controls, heating upgrades.	Landlords can benefit via tenants who meet criteria. Must be EPC D–G.	Tenant must qualify by income/benefits. Runs to March 2026.
Warm Homes: Local Grant (England)	Insulation, heat pumps, smart controls, solar.	Privately rented homes EPC D–G, income less than £36,000. Landlord may need to contribute.	Applies to tenants meeting eligibility. Landlord must approve.
Warm Homes: Landlord Funding Pot (2025+)	Up to £30k first rental property, £15k additional homes.	Landlords with EPC D–G properties.	Beyond first property, landlord often contributes 50%.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)	Grants for heat pumps, biomass boilers, etc.	Landlords eligible if property suitable.	Capped grants (e.g. £7,500).
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)	Packages of measures for off‑grid gas homes.	Landlords may qualify, tenants must meet criteria.	Landlord usually contributes part of cost.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)	Single insulation measure (cavity, loft, solid wall).	EPC D or lower. Landlords via tenants.	Works with ECO.
VAT relief	0% VAT on energy saving materials.	Applies to landlords of residential homes.	Runs until March 2027.

Wales – National Schemes

Scheme / Programme	Scope	Landlord Relevance	Notes
ECO / ECO4 (Wales)	Insulation, heating, controls.	Private rented homes eligible. Landlord consent required.	Runs to March 2026.
Nest (Welsh Government)	Free insulation, central heating, solar.	Private rentals eligible; tenant income/benefits apply.	Landlord consent required.
Green Homes Wales	Retrofit & energy efficiency.	Landlords excluded (owner‑occupiers only).	Currently excludes PRS.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (Wales)	Heat pumps, low‑carbon heating.	Landlords eligible.	Grant caps e.g. £5,000.
VAT relief	0% VAT on energy saving materials.	Landlords eligible.	As per England.

Local Examples – London, Cardiff, Swansea

London

Schemes include Warmer Homes London (up to £5,500 per home), MEES Plus Grant (Westminster, up to £10,000, match-funded), and Camden MEES Support Grant (up to £10,000). Landlords may apply but often only the first property gets full funding; subsequent homes require 50% contribution.

Cardiff

Schemes include ECO4 LA Flex (tenants must meet eligibility, landlord consent needed), Cardiff LETS scheme (up to £5,000 property improvement grant when leasing to the council), and pilot retrofit projects (e.g. Rumney). Welsh Government’s Nest scheme also applies.

Swansea

Schemes include ECO Flex Swansea (insulation, heating upgrades), Flexible Eligibility (local ECO funding routes), and off‑gas property grants. Landlord consent is required, and tenant income/benefit eligibility applies. Swansea Council also provides advice and occasional grants/loans for property improvements.

So, as can be seen, there are some localised funding schemes available. Ask your Local Authority for details.