Quick eligibility check
Warm Homes: Local Grant is a council-delivered route for lower-income households in England. The strongest fit is usually a privately owned or privately rented home with an EPC rating from D to G, a household income usually around £36,000 a year or less, a qualifying benefit, or an eligible postcode route. Your council still has to have funding available, so the checker should be treated as a routing step rather than a guarantee.
What WHLG can cover
If you are eligible and your local authority has funding available, the council usually arranges a home survey before agreeing measures. The package is based on the property rather than a menu chosen by the homeowner. It can include insulation, air source heat pumps, smart controls and solar panels where they are suitable for the home and approved by the local delivery route.
Owner occupiers usually do not contribute to the cost of approved works. Private landlords may need to contribute for rented homes, so tenants should check consent early before relying on the grant route.
| Check | Typical rule | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Location | England only, delivered through participating local authorities | Check GOV.UK and your council page |
| Ownership | Privately owned homes, including owner occupied and privately rented homes | Tenants need landlord cooperation |
| Income | Usually £36,000 household income or less, with alternative routes for benefits or eligible postcodes | Keep income evidence ready |
| Property | EPC D, E, F or G, or a home that needs confirmed energy-performance improvements | Check the EPC during application |
| Measures | Insulation, low-carbon heating, controls and sometimes solar | Wait for survey recommendations |
How to apply
- Use the official GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant service or your council's local route.
- Confirm the home is in England and privately owned or privately rented.
- Enter the postcode and income or benefit details requested by the service.
- Wait for the council or delivery partner to contact you, usually to collect evidence and book a survey.
- Review the recommended measures before any installer starts work.
WHLG vs other schemes
| Scheme | Best for | Key difference | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Homes: Local Grant | Lower-income private households in England with EPC D-G homes | Council-led, survey-led, package of measures | Check eligibility |
| ECO4 | Benefits-linked or LA Flex whole-house upgrades | Supplier obligation, often installer-led | Read ECO4 guide |
| LA Flex | Households not on benefits but vulnerable or low income | Council flexible eligibility route into ECO4 | Check LA Flex |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Owners replacing fossil heating with a heat pump | Technology-specific grant, not a whole-house income route | Compare BUS |
| GBIS | Previous single-measure insulation route | GOV.UK referral route closed 31 March 2026 | See alternatives |
Official sources to check
- GOV.UK application service for households
- Warm Homes: Local Grant guidance for local authorities
- Warm Homes Plan policy context
Caveats before applying
Funding is local-authority led and not every council area will move at the same pace. Some areas may use devolved or combined-authority delivery routes. If the online service cannot route your postcode, check the council website and compare ECO4 or LA Flex before paying for any private survey.
FAQs
Is WHLG the same as ECO4?
No. WHLG is council-led grant delivery, while ECO4 is an energy supplier obligation. Some households should check both.
Is Warm Homes: Local Grant available across the UK?
No. The GOV.UK household service is for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different home-energy support routes.
Do I need an EPC?
The property normally needs an EPC from D to G. If you do not know the EPC, the official application route can help you check.
What income qualifies?
GOV.UK states household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less, though benefits and eligible postcode routes can also matter.
Can WHLG fund solar?
Some local delivery packages can include solar where it is part of the approved home upgrade plan. It is not a universal solar grant.
Can tenants apply?
Private tenants may be able to apply, but landlord consent and any landlord contribution rules need checking before work starts.
Will I choose the installer?
The local authority or delivery partner normally manages the delivery route, including survey and approved installer arrangements.
How quickly will the council respond?
The official route says the council will usually contact applicants within 10 working days, but local capacity can vary.
What if my council is not accepting applications?
Check ECO4, LA Flex, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, supplier-led help and bill-support schemes.