ECO4 Scheme for Landlords

ECO4 Scheme for Landlords: Eligibility, Consent and Funded Improvements

The ECO4 scheme for landlords can fund improvements to an eligible privately rented property, but ECO4 is not a grant awarded through the landlord’s income. Eligibility normally comes from the tenant’s household. The landlord provides permission, property information and access for the assessment and installation.

InstantGrant is an independent grant information and application support service. We are not Ofgem, the UK government, an energy supplier, a local authority or an installer. Eligibility, funding and measure selection remain subject to official checks and supplier approval.

About This Guide

This guide explains how ECO4 works in privately rented homes, which tenants may qualify, the landlord’s responsibilities and the improvements that may be funded. It also covers EPC rules, consent, property access, guarantees and the approaching ECO4 closing date.

Can Landlords Use the ECO4 Scheme?

Yes. A privately rented property can receive ECO4 improvements when the tenant’s household and the property meet the scheme requirements.

The landlord does not normally qualify by showing the landlord’s own benefits or income. The household living in the property provides the relevant eligibility evidence.

A typical application therefore requires cooperation between:

• The tenant or another eligible member of the household

• The property owner or authorised landlord

• The energy supplier funding the project

• The ECO4 delivery provider

• The Retrofit Assessor and Retrofit Coordinator

• The business responsible for installation

The tenant cannot normally authorise major work to the building without the landlord. The landlord cannot complete a tenant based ECO4 application without the tenant’s participation and eligibility evidence.

Is ECO4 a Landlord Grant?

ECO4 is not a direct cash grant for landlords. It is an obligation placed on certain energy suppliers to fund qualifying home energy improvements.

The landlord does not receive money into a bank account. If the project is approved, the supplier funds the agreed work through its delivery arrangements.

Landlords should be cautious when an advert promises a fixed grant amount for every rental property. ECO4 does not provide a standard voucher based only on the size or EPC rating of a property.

ECO4 Scheme for Landlords: Tenant Eligibility

The tenant’s household must qualify through the standard benefits route or an approved ECO4 Flex route.

Qualifying Benefits

A private tenant may be considered when the tenant or another permanent household member receives an eligible benefit. Current qualifying benefits include:

• Universal Credit

• Income Support

• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income related Employment and Support Allowance

• Housing Benefit

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

• Pension Credit Savings Credit

• Child Benefit within the applicable income limits

The benefit does not have to be in the landlord’s name. In most private rental applications, it must belong to someone who lives permanently at the property.

ECO4 Flex

A household that does not receive a qualifying benefit may be referred through ECO4 Flex. Possible routes include:

• Combined gross household income below £31,000

• Approved indicators of low income and vulnerability

• A medical referral for a severe or long term condition made worse by a cold home

• An authorised local targeting method

A council declaration confirms that the tenant’s household meets a Flex route. It does not guarantee that the supplier will fund the property.

What EPC Rating Does a Rental Property Need?

A privately rented property normally needs an initial EPC rating of E, F or G to receive ECO4 measures.

This is different from the general owner occupier rule, which can include homes in EPC bands D to G. Landlords and providers should not apply the owner occupied band D rule to an ordinary private rental application.

The property still requires a current assessment. An older EPC may not accurately reflect improvements or changes made since it was issued.

Check Whether Your Tenant and Property May Qualify

InstantGrant can help you review the tenant’s possible eligibility, the property EPC and the appropriate application route before a full assessment is arranged.

Check ECO4 Eligibility

Which Improvements Can ECO4 Fund in a Rental Property?

ECO4 rules for private rented homes are more restricted than the rules for owner occupied properties.

The improvement package for an eligible private rental normally needs to include at least one of these main measures:

• Solid wall insulation

• First time central heating

• A district heating connection

• Renewable heating, unless it replaces the same type of renewable heating already installed

Additional measures may be included where they are required by the approved property plan. These can include:

• Loft or roof insulation

• Cavity wall insulation

• Floor insulation

• Heating controls

• Ventilation improvements required by the retrofit design

• Solar panels in a suitable approved package

• Eligible glazing or external door improvements

The final measures depend on the building, existing heating, EPC rating and technical assessment. Landlords and tenants cannot select products from a fixed grant menu.

Read our guide to what funding is available under ECO4 for more information about individual measures.

Can ECO4 Replace a Boiler in a Rental Property?

A standard boiler repair or like for like boiler replacement is generally not available as the main ECO4 measure in an ordinary private rented property.

Private rental rules focus on more substantial packages that include solid wall insulation, first time central heating, district heating or eligible renewable heating.

A rental property may therefore qualify for:

• First time central heating where it does not already have a qualifying central heating system

• An eligible heat pump where renewable heating is suitable

• A district heating connection where available

• Insulation and associated heating improvements forming an approved package

A landlord should not advertise the property to the tenant as guaranteed to receive a free replacement boiler. The property must be assessed under the current private rented sector rules.

Does the Landlord Need to Give Permission?

Yes. ECO4 work cannot normally proceed in a privately rented property without permission from the landlord or another person legally authorised to approve changes to the building.

The landlord may be asked to sign a permission and funding declaration. This confirms that:

• The landlord owns or is authorised to act for the property

• The landlord consents to the specified work

• The same measure is not receiving prohibited duplicate government funding

• The landlord understands that the funder, supplier or scheme administrator may verify the declaration

Signing a general consent form should not replace reviewing the actual work. The landlord should receive a written specification before approving installation.

Can a Landlord Refuse ECO4 Work?

ECO4 is voluntary, and a landlord is not automatically required to approve every proposal made by an installer. A landlord may have legitimate concerns about planning permission, unsuitable materials, lease restrictions, warranties or the technical design.

However, refusing ECO4 work does not remove the landlord’s separate responsibility to comply with applicable housing and energy efficiency law. A landlord should review a proposal carefully and obtain independent advice where necessary rather than refusing without understanding the work.

Reasonable questions include:

• Which energy supplier is funding the project?

• Which company holds the installation contract?

• What exact measures will be installed?

• Will the appearance of the building change?

• Is planning or freeholder permission required?

• What ventilation work is included?

• Which guarantees cover the installation?

• Who is responsible for repairs if the installer closes?

• Will any contribution be required from the landlord?

Can a Landlord Apply Without the Tenant?

A landlord can identify a property that may benefit from ECO4 and discuss the scheme with the tenant. The landlord cannot normally complete a tenant based eligibility check without the tenant’s agreement and evidence.

The application may require personal information about benefits, income, health or energy debt. The tenant should understand who will receive this information and how it will be used.

The landlord should not pressure a tenant into sharing sensitive information. Participation is voluntary, and the tenant may want independent advice before continuing.

Can a Tenant Apply Without Telling the Landlord?

A tenant can make an initial enquiry and complete a preliminary eligibility check. Major work cannot normally proceed without the property owner’s permission.

The tenant should provide accurate landlord contact details when requested. The provider can then explain the proposed assessment and consent requirements to the landlord.

How to Apply for ECO4 as a Landlord and Tenant

1. Discuss the scheme: The landlord and tenant agree to explore possible improvements.

2. Check tenant eligibility: Confirm whether the household may qualify through benefits or ECO4 Flex.

3. Check the EPC: Confirm that the privately rented property is normally rated E, F or G.

4. Contact a suitable provider: Approach an obligated supplier, ECO4 delivery provider or participating council route.

5. Provide evidence: The tenant provides household information while the landlord supplies ownership and consent information.

6. Arrange the assessment: The property receives an energy and condition assessment.

7. Review the proposed package: The landlord and tenant check the measures, disruption, guarantees and responsibilities.

8. Obtain other permissions: Secure freeholder, lender or planning permission where required.

9. Wait for supplier approval: Work should not be treated as funded until written confirmation is received.

10. Complete and inspect the work: Both parties should report defects promptly and retain the final documents.

Our detailed guide explaining how to apply for ECO4 covers the wider household and property approval process.

What Happens During the Property Assessment?

The assessment should examine the complete property rather than only the boiler or measure advertised to the tenant.

The assessor may inspect:

• Wall, roof and floor construction

• Existing insulation

• Windows and external doors

• Heating and hot water systems

• Controls, radiators and pipework

• Ventilation and extractor fans

• Visible damp, mould and building defects

• Property dimensions and room layout

• Available space for proposed equipment

The landlord should disclose known defects, restrictions and planned building work. Existing leaks, damp or structural problems may need attention before energy improvements are installed.

Who Pays for the Survey and Installation?

Many ECO4 assessments and approved installations are provided without a charge to the qualifying household. However, landlords should confirm the financial arrangement before signing anything.

A provider may decide that the project is too expensive for the available funding. It may decline the property, change the proposed package or request a contribution.

If payment is requested, obtain a written document showing:

• The complete project cost

• The amount funded through ECO4

• The contribution expected from the landlord

• Whether the tenant is being asked to pay anything

• Any credit or finance agreement

• Cancellation and refund terms

Do not pay a fee to someone who claims that payment guarantees approval.

What Happens If the Tenant Changes?

The eligibility assessment is linked to the household occupying the property. A change of tenant can affect an application that has not reached completion.

If the qualifying tenant leaves, tell the provider immediately. The project may need to be reviewed, withdrawn or assessed using the circumstances of the new household.

A landlord should not continue using the previous tenant’s benefit or income evidence after that person has left the property.

Can Portfolio Landlords Use ECO4?

A landlord can explore ECO4 for more than one property, but each home is assessed separately.

Every property needs:

• An eligible tenant household

• An eligible starting EPC rating

• A property assessment

• A suitable improvement package

• Supplier funding approval

• Separate consent and project documents

One qualifying tenant does not make the landlord’s entire portfolio eligible.

Does ECO4 Help With Landlord EPC Duties?

ECO4 improvements can raise a property’s energy performance and may help the landlord meet current or future standards. However, receiving ECO4 work does not automatically prove legal compliance.

In England and Wales, the current minimum standard generally prevents relevant private rented properties with EPC ratings of F or G from being let unless they have been improved or a valid exemption applies.

The government has confirmed a policy for private rented homes in England and Wales to meet a higher standard by 1 October 2030, subject to the detailed legislation and implementation arrangements. The future standard uses new EPC metrics and includes a £10,000 cost cap.

Under the confirmed policy design, third party funding can count towards that future cost cap, while Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding is treated differently. Landlords should check the final regulations and guidance when they take effect.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rental property frameworks. A landlord with properties in more than one nation should not assume that the English rules apply everywhere.

ECO4 and Other Government Funding

The same measure cannot normally be funded through ECO4 and another government programme. For example, two schemes cannot both claim to fund the same insulation installation.

Different measures may sometimes be funded through separate programmes when the rules permit it and the work is properly sequenced. The provider should check this before installation.

A landlord should disclose previous grant funded improvements so the project team can avoid duplicate funding and assess the current condition of the property correctly.

Landlord Checks Before Giving Consent

Request the following information before approving work:

• Full legal name of the installer

• TrustMark registration details

• Name of the funding energy supplier

• Retrofit Assessor and Retrofit Coordinator details

• Complete property assessment results

• Written schedule of proposed measures

• Products, manufacturers and model numbers where available

• Planning and Building Regulations position

• Ventilation assessment

• Expected installation dates and disruption

• Guarantees and financial protection

• Maintenance responsibilities

• Complaints and remediation procedure

Most ECO4 measures must be installed by or under the responsibility of a TrustMark registered business. Heat pumps, solar equipment and other technologies may require additional certification.

Quality and Safety Checks

The landlord should inspect the property before and after installation and keep dated photographs. The tenant should also record any problems that appear during or after the work.

Pay particular attention to:

• Damp and moisture before insulation is installed

• Ventilation changes

• Roof, window and pipe junctions around external insulation

• Safe positioning of heating equipment

• Electrical certification

• Flue, drainage and fuel supply alterations

• Damage to decorations, flooring or tenant belongings

• Commissioning and operating instructions

Current tenant and landlord eligibility rules can be checked in the official Ofgem ECO4 guidance for domestic consumers and landlords.

ECO4 for Landlords Across the UK

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord apply for ECO4?

A landlord can start an enquiry and support the application, but eligibility in a privately rented property normally comes from the tenant’s household. The tenant must participate in the eligibility process.

Does the landlord need to receive benefits?

No. It is normally the tenant or another permanent household member who must receive an eligible benefit or qualify through ECO4 Flex.

What EPC rating does a rental property need?

A privately rented property normally needs an initial EPC rating of E, F or G. The owner occupied EPC D rule should not be applied to an ordinary private rental application.

Does the landlord have to give permission?

Yes. Major ECO4 improvements normally require written permission from the property owner or another person authorised to approve the work.

Can ECO4 fund a boiler for a private tenant?

Standard boiler repair or like for like replacement is generally restricted in private rented properties. First time central heating, renewable heating, district heating or a package involving solid wall insulation may be eligible.

Can a landlord choose the improvements?

No. The landlord can raise concerns and review the proposal, but the package must follow the assessment, technical design and supplier funding decision.

Can landlords receive ECO4 for empty properties?

A standard tenant based application normally requires an eligible household living in the property. An empty property does not have a tenant whose circumstances can establish household eligibility.

Will the landlord own the installed equipment?

Permanent improvements normally become part of the property, but the contract, guarantee and any equipment specific terms should be checked before work begins.

Can a tenant be charged for ECO4 work?

A provider should explain any proposed contribution before work begins. The tenant should not be surprised with a charge after signing an eligibility form.

When does ECO4 close?

ECO4 is scheduled to close on 31 December 2026. Providers may stop accepting new applications earlier if projects cannot be assessed, approved and completed in time.

Check a Rental Property for ECO4 Eligibility

InstantGrant can help landlords and tenants understand the household eligibility, EPC requirements and consent process. Final funding and improvements remain subject to assessment and supplier approval.

Start an Eligibility Check