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Warm Homes Local Grant

The Warm Homes: Local Grant supports residents with energy efficiency improvements to their homes through improved insulation and heating.

We have secured the funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to help residents reduce energy bills, make their homes warmer and support tackling climate change.

What energy efficiency improvements could I receive?

Eligible households could benefit from one or more of the following:

  • External wall insulation
  • Internal wall insulation
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Loft insulation
  • Room in roof insulation
  • Flat roof insulation
  • Solar panels
  • Heating controls
  • Air source heat pumps
  • Hybrid heat pumps
  • High heat retention storage heaters
  • Double glazing or secondary glazing (where currently single glazed)
  • Improved ventilation when receiving insulation measures (to help reduce condensation, damp, and mould)

All measures are subject to survey which will be carried out to check which measures are suitable and in which order they need to be installed. Not all homes will be suitable for all measures.

Eligibility

Applicants will qualify for funding if the following criteria is met:

  • Your home has a home energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.  A free EPC can be provided for your home if you do not have one.

AND

  • You have a household income of under £36,000 before tax. 

Or

  • You are in receipt of one of the following means tested benefits. Housing benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Pension Credit or Universal Credit.

Or

  • If your household income (before tax) is less than the amounts below, after your mortgage or rental payments are taken into account.
After housing costs maximum threshold for 1 adult

Occupants

Maximum eligible 'after mortgage or rent costs' income

1 adult

Not applicable for household income beyond £20,000 after housing costs

1 adult plus 1 dependant

Not applicable (as above)

1 adult plus 2 dependants

Not applicable (as above)

1 adult plus 3 dependants

£23,600

1 adult plus 4 dependants

£27,600

1 adult plus 5 dependants

£31,600

After housing costs maximum threshold for 2 adults

Occupants

Maximum eligible 'after mortgage or rent costs' income

2 adults

Not applicable for household income beyond £20,000 after housing costs

2 adults plus 1 dependant

£24,000.00

2 adults plus 2 dependants

£28,000.00

2 adults plus 3 dependants

£32,000.00

2 adults plus 4 dependants

£36,000.00

2 adults plus 5 dependants

£40,000.00

What is an EPC?

An EPC is a report that assesses a property’s energy efficiency performance from grade A (most efficient) to grade G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. You can view your Energy Performance Certificate  for FREE online at https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate.

What evidence will I need to provide to support my application?

If you are eligible through the receipt of an approved means tested benefits you will need to provide a benefit award letter from the DWP or a recent bank statement showing receipt of the benefit.

If you are eligible through the household Income criteria you will need to provide income information for each adult that is a permanent resident in the property excluding lodgers or adults in full time education. Details of evidence required are listed within the application form and can include:

  • 3 months bank statements showing income
  • P60
  • Wage slips
  • SA100 form from HMRC if self employed
  • DWP pension information
  • Private pension information
  • DWP benefits letter
  • Child benefit information

If eligible through the income after mortgage or rent costs route you will need to provide evidence of your mortgage or payments through either your bank statements, mortgage statements or tenant agreement.

Home ownership: We will complete a land registry check on your property as part of the application process. In the event we are unable to use this to verify your ownership you will need to provide proof you own your property in the form of mortgage information or title deeds. For those renting we will complete these checks against your landlord.

What if I am a social housing tenant?

Social housing providers have their own funding to support energy efficiency improvements. Please refer to your landlord for possible support. Additional advice on how to save energy in home, can be found on GOV.UK.

What if I live in a shared ownership property?

As long as you meet the eligibility criteria you can apply if your shared ownership provider agrees to contribute 50% of the cost of works planned. The shared ownership provider will be required to complete an application form alongside yours for the funding.

How do I apply?

If you meet all of the above criteria and would like to apply please contact us on 01562 732190 or privatesectorhousing@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

What happens next if I qualify?

Once your application has been verified you will be contacted by an appointed contractor to arrange an initial assessment at the property. A qualified Retrofit Assessor will carry out a whole house assessment to look at the condition of the property and its suitability for energy efficiency improvement measures.

The initial assessment can take up to 2 hours depending on the size of your property and the Retrofit Assessor will require access to all rooms to complete a thorough survey, including any loft space. Please let us or the assessor know if there are any rooms you do not wish to allow access for assessment and works.

What happens after the initial assessment?

This assessment will be reviewed by a Retrofit Coordinator. If the property is deemed suitable for works, the Retrofit Coordinator will look at the best combination of suitable measures, within the funding available, to offer you the best possible energy savings.

Following the review, if your property is suitable for measures, you will be contacted to discuss the options available to you. Further visits may be required for additional surveys for specific measures.

What amount of grant funding is available?

The value of the grant provided depends on:

  • the measures proposed for your property
  • the EPC rating of your property

Properties could receive up to £15,000 for insulation and up to £15,000 for renewable heating improvements.

Will I have to contribute anything?

If you are the homeowner and live in the property named in the application the cost of the measures will be fully funded.
If you live in a private rented property, as a tenant you will not be required to make a contribution however the landlord may be required to pay 50% of the overall cost of measures if they have already had properties improved through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. Please ensure your landlord has agreed for measures to be installed if you apply and they understand they may be required to make a financial contribution if they have already had properties improved under the Warm Homes: Local Grant. 

If you are a landlord you will be entitled to have one property improved fully funded through the Warm Homes: Local Grant where the tenants are eligible. If you chose to improve any further properties utilising the funding they will be subject to a 50% contribution towards the total cost of measures. If you are a landlord applying for a grant, please ensure you have discussed this with your tenants as several visits to the property will be required.

Grants will not be awarded in cash. The grant cost is claimed back from central government via Wyre Forest District Council.

Can I choose which measures I want to receive?

Following an initial property assessment, you will be contacted to discuss the options available to you that offer you the best possible energy savings. All works under the funding must comply with a “fabric first” approach which means heat loss prevention measures such as insulation are given priority. To achieve adequate savings on your bills and uplifts to your properties energy score it may be necessary to install one measure as a pre-condition for another measure. For example, a loft may be insulated alongside the install of solar panels as a package. You are under no obligation to proceed with any measures offered and no measures would take place without your written consent.

What contractors will be used and can I trust them?

All contractors are registered with TrustMark, the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme, for measures in and around your home. TrustMark registered contractors are thoroughly vetted and continually monitored to ensure they meet required standards in technical competence, customer service and trading practices.

The appointed contractor(s) will provide guarantees on their work and have a clear and simple disputes resolution process in place.

Contractors are procured by the Local Authorities, in order to meet the requirements of the scheme.

What savings could I see on my bill?

Once the initial whole house assessment is complete we will provide a report that shows the expected savings of the proposed measures. The savings will vary depending on the measure and the number of measures being installed.

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