Renters
You don’t need to own your property to get help to make it warmer, healthier and more affordable to heat. We are here to give anyone renting privately free impartial energy advice. We’ll talk you through what improvements will make a big difference and how best to approach your landlord.
How we can help people who rent
Just because you rent your home from a private landlord, it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to make it more comfortable and energy efficient. There are many ways of doing things differently that cost nothing, or very little, and can together cut your energy bills. You can also encourage your landlord to make upgrades to your home which will also help improve indoor air quality and your mental and physical health. If you’re nervous about approaching your landlord, we can help you put forward your case and get the funding needed to persuade them to give you the go ahead.
Get to know your rights
Did you know that, by law, you have the Right to Request your landlord’s consent to make energy efficiency upgrades? All you have to do is prove that you, either through your own money or with the help of a grant, can fully fund the work and that it will improve the property’s energy efficiency. Unless the landlord has a very good reason, or suggests a different solution, they can’t refuse. Also, the Right to Repair means your landlord must make necessary repairs to make your home safe to live in. With our help and expert advice, we can get the ball rolling on making it happen.
Find out more about:
There are also new regulations that will be coming soon:
Home energy advice for renters
How can I stop damp and condensation?
Did you know that whether you rent or own your home, damp and condensation can cause big problems to the building and for your health in the form of mould?
How can I lower my energy bills this winter?
Saving energy doesn’t have to involve installing a shiny new heat pump or solar PV system. There are so many other small things you can do that cost either nothing or very little and can save you big money.
Which insulation is best for my home?
When it’s cold outside, how warm do you feel in your home? Well, if you’re not as cosy as you think you should be or your bills seem unusually high, heat may be escaping your home.
How can I stop damp and condensation?
Did you know that whether you rent or own your home, damp and condensation can cause big problems to the building and for your health in the form of mould?
How can I lower my energy bills this winter?
Saving energy doesn’t have to involve installing a shiny new heat pump or solar PV system. There are so many other small things you can do that cost either nothing or very little and can save you big money.
Which insulation is best for my home?
When it’s cold outside, how warm do you feel in your home? Well, if you’re not as cosy as you think you should be or your bills seem unusually high, heat may be escaping your home.
What financial support is out there?
If you are a private tenant on a low income or benefits, the following grants and schemes could be available to you. There are incentives for landlords, too.
Finance and grants for renters
Home energy loans
Spread the cost of home energy efficiency upgrades including insulation, new windows, solar panels, or heat pumps with a low interest loan. The loan is designed for homeowners and private landlords who want to invest in their property and reduce bills.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Warm Homes Local Grant scheme (Leeds / Huddersfield)
You could get free energy saving improvements made to your home if you’re on a low income, getting certain benefits or living in a certain postcode area.
Home energy loans
Spread the cost of home energy efficiency upgrades including insulation, new windows, solar panels, or heat pumps with a low interest loan. The loan is designed for homeowners and private landlords who want to invest in their property and reduce bills.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Warm Homes Local Grant scheme (Leeds / Huddersfield)
You could get free energy saving improvements made to your home if you’re on a low income, getting certain benefits or living in a certain postcode area.
Ask for your Energy Performance Certificate
By law, your private landlords should provide you with a copy of the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before you move in and when you start renting. If you don’t have one, ask your landlord for a copy or you can search for it using the Government's website. The Government is also looking at new legislation for rented homes to have an EPC rating of C or above for new tenants in 2028 and 2030 for existing tenants. Also, if there are certain types of damp or mould in your home that could trigger or affect your health, your landlord will need to fix the problem.
1 in 4
private renters in England live in fuel poverty
23%
of privately rented homes don’t meet the Decent Homes Standard
11%
of private rental homes reported a problem with damp in 2021
Not sure where to start? Let us help you...
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Our free independent advice service can help you to understand what improvements could be made to your home, and we can support you with how best to approach your landlord.
Yes. You have the Right to Quiet Enjoyment meaning you can live in your home without disturbance form your landlord or other people. Your landlord must provide their full name and address under your Right to Know Your Landlord’s Details. You have Protection Against Illegal Eviction and the Right to Valid Eviction Notice where proper written notice must be received from your landlord if they want you to leave under a Section 21 or Section 8 notice. You also have the Right to Exclusive Possession to decide who enters your home.
Good sources of reliable information or advice include Citizen’s Advice, Generation Rent, Shelter and Gov.uk.
Some local authorities in West Yorkshire may be able to offer you further support to help you make energy saving upgrades to your home. Visit your local authority to find out:
Your local authority will also be able to tell you if your property complies with the law and whether changes can should be made to improve your home’s energy efficiency.