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.

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.

How we will prioritise the use of the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG) funding

It’s anticipated the amount of WHLG funding available will not be sufficient to support all properties potentially eligible for the scheme. To ensure the funding is being spent on the properties most in need, officers delivering the project will need to prioritise the allocation of funding. This will be done in the following way:

• Properties with the lowest EPCs (E,F,G) within income decile 1, in receipt of a means tested benefit, will be prioritised first.
• Properties with the lowest EPCs (E,F,G) within income decile 1, with a household income of less than £36,000, will be prioritised next.

If funding allocations allow properties with the lowest EPCs (E,F,G) within income decile 2 or above will be prioritised second in ascending order of income decile.

The below images depict the Income deciles within

Income deciles within Wyre Forest

Income deciles within Kidderminster

Income deciles within Stourport-on-Severn

Income deciles within Bewdley

The decision to award homes funding will be based on the number of eligible applications received, the terms, conditions, and constraints of the funding, and the amount of funding available. Our officers will look to utilise alternative sources of funding to support homes we are unable to support through the WHLG

The constraints of the scheme and resident(s) preferences may mean we are unable to offer some homes measures under the funding.

How many home visits will be required?

The process can require multiple visits dependant on the works to be completed with a minimum of 5 home visits as defined below:

• Initial whole house retrofit assessment to look at the condition of the property and suitability of measures.
• Technical survey(s) for each measure to be installed to identify the most appropriate design(s) for your property and to ensure it is technically viable to be installed.
• Installation work of the measures agreed. This can take from one visit for measures like loft insulation and up to several days where large or multiple measures are being installed, such as an ASHP install.
• Post EPC visit to confirm the new and improved energy efficiency rating of your property.
• Independent installation quality inspection to ensure the installation work meets required standards. Properties are randomly selected so not all properties will have an inspection visit.

We will look to combine visits on the same day or time where able.

What are ventilation improvements and do I have to have them?

Ventilation plays an essential role when an insulation measure is installed to help maintain air quality in your home and reduce condensation. A retrofit assessment will identify if the existing ventilation is adequate and will make recommendations for ventilation improvements if necessary.

If extra ventilation is required, this must be carried out before any other energy efficiency measures are installed. The installation of insulation cannot be completed without the completion of ventilation improvements where they are identified as being required. Ventilation improvements include replacing current extractor fans or adding additional ones in rooms with running water. Adding vents in windows and undercuts to internals doors.

Will scaffolding need to be erected at my property?

It will be necessary to erect temporary scaffolding for the installation of most measures, for example, solar panels, windows and external wall insulation.

Will you need access to my loft?

Yes. We will require access to any loft space(s) to establish whether you have existing loft insulation and whether this meets the current standards. We kindly ask that you clear down sufficient space to allow adequate access to carry out the survey. If loft insulation or solar panels are to be installed we will agree plans with you to create sufficient space for works to be completed.

Will I have to move out whilst the work is taking place?

No, you will not need to move out of your property. We will endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum whilst the installation work is being carried out. Most of the work will be carried out externally where possible. If internal access is required, your carpets and flooring will be covered by the contractor before the installation of any measures and the contractor will leave your property in the same condition as prior to the installation where reasonably practical.

Will I receive any guarantees for works completed?

Yes. All installation works will come with insurance backed guarantees for each measure installed as well as for workmanship.

How much space will an Air Source Heat Pump occupy?

An Air Source Heat Pump is sited outside the property can either be attached to an external wall or fixed to a floor and are generally around 1500mm x 500mm in size. You may also need space within your property to accommodate a hot water cylinder either in the loft or an airing cupboard. An assessor will look at the options available when they visit your home to carry out the initial survey.

Can I nominate someone to facilitate the completion of works on my behalf?

Yes. You can nominate someone to support the application and arrange works with us on your behalf. This may be a family member, friend, carer, or if you are a private tenant you may wish for us to speak with your landlord. If you prefer to do this, we will need your permission and the contact details of your nominated person.

How to raise a concern regards fraud

If you have a concern about a resident, supplier or contractor committing fraud in relation to the Warm Homes Local Grant please contact privatesectorhousing@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

If the concern is about a Wyre Forest District Council employee, please contact richard.osborne@nwwm.org.uk 

Data sharing and privacy notices 

Find out how we process, use and share your personal information and the Warm Homes: Local Grant privacy notice

Additional scheme information

Read more information and guidance from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the project.