Support Solutions UK help Cumbria Community Homes with technical consultancy and advice in terms of their structural framework. We are also responsible for constructing their rent and service charges. Recently Cumbria Community Homes commented "Thanks Danny we couldn't have done it without you. Your knowledge and expertise in the sector is amazing. You go above and beyond for us. No better partner to help us grow. We will be forever grateful."
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This month our briefing will look at grant funding that is available for social housing tenants in order to make their homes more energy efficient.
Right now there is a new government grant scheme with £4 billion of grant funding available for UK households that rent their property form a private landlord.
The ECO4 grant scheme targets inefficient properties where households need assistance.
The least efficient properties get the most funding and the grants are very generous for the properties that qualify (worth £7000 to £20000 plus per property).
We work with a specialist team that offer FREE NO OBLIGATION ASSESMENTS ON ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES TO ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT ANY GRANT FUNDING WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
GRANTS ARE VERY GENEROUS WITH A FUNDING OF 4 BILLION AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE THE LEAST EFFICENT HOMES
Lets take a look at the household and property eligibility for the grants.
here are 6 ways for tenants to qualify (the tenant must qualify and not the landlord)
1. Benefits Eligibility
Private tenants need to receive one or more of the following:
Child Tax Credit
ESA
Income Support
Housing Benefit
JSA
Pension Credit Guarantee
Pension Credit Savings
Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit
2. Child Benefits Eligibility
Your household will need to meet income rules (up to £42k depending the number of children in the household)
3. Income Based Eligibility
Household income must be under £31k
4. Vulnerable Person Eligibility
Vulnerable tenants can access grants
5. Health related Eligibility
Tenants with health conditions that are worsened by living in a cold home qualify
6. Bespoke Targeting
Installers can target specific groups of people living in fuel poverty
PROPERTIES MUST ALSO MEET MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WAHT THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ARE …..
EPC Requirements
The property must have an EPC Band of D, E, F or G and be improved to a minimum of D or C.
If work has been completed since the EPC date this could impact eligibility.
In most cases insulation will not be enough to achieve the minimum band improvement and therefore most applications will require a heating upgrade to reach the ‘full project score’
The landlord must consent to the work being carried out.
The tenant must be eligible for funding through one of the 6 aforementioned ways.
The property must be insulated unless there is an exemption.
There must be adequate ventilation at the property
Rented properties aren’t eligible for boiler upgrades but can get air source eat pumps.
Homes with an E rating are likely to require 25% contributions by the landlord for heat pump installations.
Other grants are usually fully-funded if the property is eligible.
Thanks for Reading
Interested in a no obligation assessment?
01325 487080
lee@supportsolutions.co.uk