Private Sector Grants

Grants available to repair and improve your properties

Warm Homes Local Grant 

The Warm Homes Local Grant (WH:LG) is a government-funded scheme that helps low-income households in England improve energy efficiency and switch to low-carbon heating.

To qualify, residents must reside at a property in the Ashford Borough and meet the eligibility criteria outlined in this guidance.

The grant began on the 1 September 2025 and plans to run for 3 years ending on 31 March 2028.

The Warm Homes Local Grant is available for households in receipt of certain benefits or on a low-income.

What is funded
This is a fully government funded grant.

Owner occupiers are not expected to make any contributions to the cost. 

Energy performance upgrades includes

• Loft insulation, Cavity Wall insulation, External Wall insulation, Park home insulation, Underfloor insulation, Internal wall insulation , Windows and Doors upgrades, Solar PV , Solar Thermal and battery storage.
• Low carbon heating includes: Air Source Heat Pump and High Retention Storage Heaters.

Funding allocated is dependent on survey results, viability of installation and value for money, and is at the discretion of Ashford Borough Council. Properties are not automatically entitled to a specific funding amount.

It is entirely dependent on the works that are viable and the associated costs. 

Who is eligible
Applications are open to residents who physically occupy the property in the Ashford Borough. Residents must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below.

Private rented sector can also apply but the Landlord will be subject to additional checks as explained further down.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) reserves the right to withdraw applications that are not aligned with the "spirit of the grant" or costs of measures exceed the limits set out in the grant.

This funding has been allocated by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for the purposes of supporting vulnerable residents genuinely suffering fuel poverty and thus the council retains the right to evaluate savings and housing archetypes such as Park Homes and Private rented properties.

To be eligible both of the following criteria must be met and evidenced: -

1.The property’s Energy Performance Certificate must be D, E, F, G rated. Check your EPC rating here. If your property does not have an EPC, this can be carried out as part of the scheme, providing the household meets the income criteria below.

2.The household must meet one of the following:

The property is located in an economically deprived postcode area (based on data drawn from the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2019 and set out by government for the scheme)

or,

In receipt of means- tested benefits (including all benefits except Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance)

or,

Have an annual gross income below £36,000

Please note that grant conditions require a fabric first approach to be adopted, which means insulation measures will be prioritised before renewables. Any funding and the type of measure is subject to survey of the property and Government authorisation.

Rental properties eligibility
For privately rented properties, tenants must meet the low-income criteria outlined in any of the eligible pathways and make the application.

Landlords can receive full funding for one property, but for any additional properties, they must contribute minimum of 50% of the upgrade costs, with no limit on the number of properties that can be upgraded.

Tenants are not required to contribute to the cost of any upgrades.

Privately rented properties rated EPC's F and G must have registered exemptions under the Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015 to be deemed eligible.

Further information is available through the Government’s Eligibility Checker, Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home - GOV.UK, or by email warmhomesteam@ashford.gov.uk

This scheme opened for applications on April 1 2025 and will run for 3 years.