It is a must to keep your home warm during the winter, but replacing an old or inefficient boiler is a big challenge for many tenants on benefits. The good news is that the UK government has free boiler grant schemes for eligible tenants to upgrade to a more efficient heating system at little to no cost.
It is part of the ECO4 program, which aims to enhance energy efficiency in low-income homes. If you receive certain benefits, you may qualify for a free boiler scheme under this program, reducing your energy bills and ensuring a warmer, more comfortable home.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about free boilers for tenants on benefits, including:
- How to check if you’re eligible.
- The application process and landlord approval.
- Costs are covered by the scheme.
- Alternative ways tenants might qualify.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to apply for a government-funded boiler grant and take advantage of this opportunity in 2025.
What is the free boilers for tenants on benefits?
The free boiler grant scheme is a government-led initiative that helps low-income families, including private tenants, upgrade to a more energy-efficient heating system. It is part of the ECO4 scheme, which involves significant energy suppliers finding funding to replace boilers in eligible homes.
If you’re a private tenant on benefits, you can get a free boiler for private tenants under certain conditions. This scheme mainly supports households with old, inefficient boilers by offering them a new A-rated boiler and its installation at a subsidized price, thereby saving much on the heating bill and further cutting carbon emissions.
Who Can Benefit from the Scheme?
The free boiler for private tenants grant is specifically aimed at:
- Private tenants rent from a landlord or letting agency.
- Those receiving qualifying government benefits.
- Homes with old or broken boilers that need replacement.
Social housing tenants may also qualify, but eligibility depends on the property’s current energy efficiency rating. If the home has an EPC rating of E, F, or G, tenants may be eligible for first-time central heating grants rather than a boiler replacement.
Landlord’s Role in the Application
If you are a private tenant, you should obtain the landlord’s consent before requesting a free boiler for private tenants. As a boiler would be considered part of the landlord’s property, you are supposed to obtain their permission. However, landlords are not required to contribute financially—the grant covers most or all of the cost.By taking advantage of this scheme, tenants can enjoy lower energy bills, a more reliable heating system, and a warmer home in winter, all while landlords improve their property’s value and energy efficiency.
Benefits of Free Boilers For Tenants
1. Lower Your Heating Bills
One of the most direct and obvious benefits of getting a free boiler for private tenants is a considerable reduction in heating costs. Older, inefficient boilers waste a lot of energy, which means you’re paying more for your heating. By replacing your old boiler with a new, energy-efficient model, you can reduce your energy consumption and save up to £300 per year on your heating bills.
2. Improving Home’s Energy Efficiency
A new boiler isn’t just about heating your home more effectively—it also improves the overall energy efficiency of your property. This means you’ll need less energy to keep your home warm, which reduces your carbon footprint and helps the environment.
3. Increase Property Value
As much as it will seem like for private tenants, a new boiler has nothing to do with you, but the landlord still benefits since replacing an old and inefficient boiler gives them an upgraded property. Once your landlord has agreed to grant the application, they will also get to better their property whilst helping you warm up to more comfort in dwelling.
4. Make Your Home More Comfortable
Outdated boilers are less likely to operate as they should, and they tend to fail during winter. If your heating system is obsolete or broken, the free boiler for private tenants grant ensures a new, reliable heating system that will keep you warm throughout the year. This is particularly essential for households with vulnerable people, such as young children, older people, or those with medical conditions that require constant warmth.
5. A Hassle-Free Simple Process
Applying for free boilers for private tenants is relatively easy; the installation by professionals takes up most of that process. Moreover, the central part of its cost is granted, so no or little financial burdens are involved. Since you qualify based on the above eligibility criteria, you do not have to prepay or prepare a lot of paperwork. And since you qualify, the procedure is easy and quick, especially if you partner with a reputable government-approved provider of grants such as BTS Grants.
How Do I Qualify as a Tenant for a Free Boiler Grant?
If you are a private tenant on benefits, you may be eligible for a free boiler for private tenants under the UK government’s ECO4 scheme. However, there are specific criteria you must meet to qualify for the grant.
Key Eligibility Requirements for Tenants
To apply for a free boiler for private tenants, you must:
✔ Be a private tenant—you must be renting from a private landlord or letting agency.
✔ Receive qualifying benefits: The scheme is designed for low-income households, so you must be on specific government benefits (listed in the next section).
✔ Have an inefficient or broken boiler. Your existing boiler must be over 10–15 years old, inefficient, or faulty to qualify for a free replacement.
✔ Get landlord approval: Since the boiler is part of the rental property, your landlord must agree to the installation.
The importance of landlord approval
However, while the free boiler for private tenants grant covers most or all of the installation cost, tenants cannot apply without permission from their landlord. This is because the new boiler stays as the landlord’s property, and they have to consent to change in their rental home.
What if I Live in Social Housing?
If you are a social housing tenant, you could still be eligible for heating grants, but it does not automatically mean you can get a boiler replacement. Sometimes, you would be eligible for first-time central heating grants, especially if you do not already have a heating system in your home.
How to Check If You Qualify:
To find out if you meet the requirements for a free boiler for private tenants, you can:
- Use an online eligibility checker from a government-approved provider.
- Contact an ECO4 grant provider for an assessment.
- Speak to your landlord about applying on your behalf.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is to check whether your benefits qualify for a boiler grant—which we’ll cover in the next section!
What Are the Qualifying Benefits That May Make Me Eligible for a Boiler Grant?
To qualify for a free boiler for private tenants, you must be receiving at least one of the government’s means-tested benefits. These benefits are designed to support low-income households, ensuring they have access to affordable heating through the ECO4 boiler grant scheme.
List of Qualifying Benefits
If you or someone in your household receives any of the following benefits, you may be eligible for a free boiler for private tenants:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit & Savings Credit)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child Benefit (with income thresholds applied)
Child Benefit Income Thresholds for Eligibility
If you receive Child Benefit, your eligibility will also depend on your household income. The income limits are based on the number of children and whether you are a single parent or part of a couple.
| Household Type | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4+ Children |
| Single Parent | £19,900 | £24,800 | £29,600 | £34,500 |
| Couple | £27,500 | £32,300 | £37,200 | £42,000 |
If your income is below these limits and you receive Child Benefit, you could still qualify for a free boiler for private tenants.
Do I Need to Be on Benefits to Get a Free Boiler?
In most cases, yes. Some tenants can be eligible for funding through the Local Authority Flexibility Scheme, known as LA Flex. This scheme gives councils a basis to grant payments based on low household income or health reasons requiring adequate heating.
What If My Benefit Has Recently Stopped?
If you were previously receiving a qualifying benefit but lost eligibility recently, it’s still worth checking with an ECO4 grant provider, as some schemes may offer short-term grace periods for applications.If you receive any of these qualifying benefits, you may be able to apply for a free boiler for private tenants. In the next section, we’ll cover what the boiler grant includes and what costs are covered.
Where Does the Funding for Free Boiler Grants Come From?
The free boiler for private tenants scheme is funded by the UK government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. It ensures that large energy companies have the legal obligation to assist low-income households in saving energy by providing free or highly subsidized boiler replacements.
How to Apply for a Free Boiler for Private Tenants
If you’ve decided to apply for a free boiler for private tenants, you’ll be happy to know that the process is relatively straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through the application process and secure your free boiler grant.
1. Check Your Eligibility
The first step in applying for a free boiler for private tenants is to check if you meet the basic eligibility criteria. You need to be:
✔ Receiving a qualifying benefit (such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, etc.).
✔ Living in a property with an inefficient or broken boiler.
✔ Living in a private rental property (this can also apply to those with landlords who are supportive of the grant application).Make sure you gather proof of eligibility, such as benefit documents or a letter from your landlord confirming the condition of the current heating system.
2. Find a Government-Approved Provider
To apply for the grant, you’ll need to go through a government-approved provider. These providers are accredited under the ECO4 scheme to assess your eligibility, submit your application, and arrange installation.
3. Complete the Application
Once you’ve selected a provider, you’ll need to complete an application form. This form will typically ask for:
- Personal details (name, address, contact information).
- Details of your current boiler (make, model, condition).
- Information about your qualifying benefits (you may be required to upload supporting documents such as a benefits letter or bank statement).
- Landlord’s consent (if applicable, your landlord will need to approve the boiler replacement).
Most application forms can be completed online, making the process convenient and efficient.
4. Wait for the Assessment
After submitting your application, the provider will assess your eligibility. This may involve:
- Home assessment: An energy efficiency expert will visit your home to assess the current boiler and energy efficiency of the property. They will determine if a replacement is necessary and which type of boiler will suit your home.
Eligibility confirmation: The provider will confirm whether you qualify for a free boiler for private tenants under the ECO4 scheme based on your benefits, home assessment, and other factors.
5. Installation of the New Boiler
If your application is approved, the next step is scheduling the installation of your new, energy-efficient boiler. This is typically carried out by a professional engineer appointed by the provider. The installation process includes:
- Removal of the old boiler.
- Installation of the new energy-efficient boiler.
- Testing the system to ensure it’s working properly.
- Explaining how to use the new boiler and controls.
The installation should take 1-2 days depending on the complexity of the system and any required modifications to your heating system.
6. Enjoy Your New Heating System
Once the boiler is installed, you can start enjoying a warm home and lower energy bills. With your new, energy-efficient system in place, your home will be more comfortable, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’ve received a free boiler for private tenants.
Faq’s
Yes, tenants living in privately rented properties can apply for a free boiler for private tenants, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set out by the ECO4 scheme. This includes receiving qualifying benefits, property with an inefficient or broken boiler, and having the consent of the landlord
Yes, you will need your landlord’s permission to replace the boiler in a private rented property. If you qualify for the grant, your landlord must agree to the installation of a new boiler. In most cases, the landlord will benefit from a more energy-efficient heating system, so they may be open to the idea of granting permission.
There are no application fees or costs for applying for a free boiler for private tenants under the ECO4 scheme. The installation of the boiler is fully funded, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. If for any reason you do not qualify for a free boiler, you may be eligible for a subsidized boiler replacement, where you only pay a portion of the cost.
The type of boiler installed will depend on your home’s size, energy requirements, and the condition of your existing system. Typically, a new energy-efficient combi boiler is installed, which helps reduce your heating bills and improve your home’s energy efficiency. The installer will assess your property and recommend the best boiler type for your needs.
If you don’t receive any of the main qualifying benefits, you may still be eligible for a free boiler for private tenants under certain circumstances. For example, you might qualify if your home has an EPC rating of E, F, or G, or if you’re living in a vulnerable situation (e.g., with children, elderly people, or someone with health conditions that require a warm home). Check with your local council for other available schemes and grants.
