Warm Homes support could fund major upgrades across Tees Valley

Households across Tees Valley can apply for fully funded insulation, solar panels and low-carbon heating through a government-backed programme running until March 2028. Local councils say the regional Warm Homes partnership has secured nearly £14 million to improve privately owned homes that are costly to heat.

The support is aimed at people in fuel poverty, but eligibility is broader than a single benefits list. Owner-occupiers and private tenants may qualify, and households that do not receive benefits can still be considered through income or postcode routes.

Who may qualify

National guidance says the property must be in England, privately owned and normally have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G. Household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less, although a higher-income household may still qualify if it is in an eligible postcode or somebody receives a qualifying means-tested benefit.

Local checks matter. Hartlepool, for example, says privately rented homes must have an EPC rating of D or E, while its wider scheme accepts owner-occupied homes rated D to G. Tenants need their landlord's permission before work can proceed. People who do not know their EPC rating can still apply because the delivery team can arrange an assessment.

What the grant can pay for

Possible measures include floor, loft and wall insulation, air or ground source heat pumps, smart heating controls, low-energy lighting, solar panels, and more efficient doors and windows. Hartlepool also lists solar battery storage and high-retention storage heaters among the improvements that may be offered.

The amount available depends on the local delivery arrangements and what a survey finds. Middlesbrough and Stockton describe support of up to £15,000 for energy-efficiency work and a further £15,000 for low-carbon heating. Darlington's current page gives average caps of £16,600 for each part. This is not a cash payment to the householder: approved work is organised through the scheme, and the property must be suitable.

A new gas boiler is not included. Councils are prioritising fabric improvements and highly efficient low-carbon systems. Existing damp, structural defects or other problems may have to be put right before installation starts, and not every eligible household will receive work because funding is limited.

How to apply in each borough

Residents in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees can use the E.ON Green Funding Solutions application route or call 03332 024820 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Hartlepool Borough Council runs a separate Warm Homes Hartlepool online application and says it aims to review applications within two weeks.

The GOV.UK eligibility checker is a useful starting point for anyone unsure where to apply. It also offers assisted digital support on 0800 098 7950, open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to noon, except bank holidays.

What happens next

Applicants should expect to provide evidence about occupancy, income or benefits. A home survey then decides which measures are appropriate rather than allowing people to choose a fixed package. Private landlords can receive full funding for their first eligible property under local Tees Valley arrangements, with a 50 per cent contribution required for additional properties.

The scheme's long closing date should not be read as a guarantee that money will remain available. Councils can prioritise households with the lowest incomes and least efficient homes, so applying early is sensible if winter heating costs are already difficult to manage.