Many homeowners in the London Borough of Bromley and areas in Greater London and Kent are asking whether they qualify for the government’s generous £7,500 boiler grant, and it’s a question we hear daily from families across the counties. The good news? Most properties are eligible, but there are specific criteria you need to meet. As experienced heating engineers in Kent, we’ve helped many local families determine their eligibility and successfully claim their grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Understanding the qualification criteria could save you thousands of pounds on your new heat pump installation.
Quick Eligibility Checker for Kent Homeowners
Before diving into the details, here’s a simple checklist to see if you likely qualify:
✓ Do you own your home in Kent?
✓ Is your current heating system gas, oil, LPG, or electric?
✓ Do you have a valid EPC certificate?
✓ Is your property under 45kWth heating requirement?
If you answered yes to all four questions, you probably qualify for the £7,500 grant. Let’s explore each requirement in detail.
Property Ownership Requirements
The first qualification hurdle is straightforward – you must own the property where the heat pump will be installed. This includes:
Eligible Property Types:
- Your main residence
- Second homes and holiday properties
- Buy-to-let rental properties
- Small commercial properties (offices, shops, etc.)
- Mixed-use properties with residential elements
Important Note for Kent Landlords: Landlords can claim the grant for rental properties, making it an excellent investment in property value and tenant satisfaction. Many Kent landlords are using the scheme to upgrade their rental portfolio while reducing void periods.
Leasehold Properties: If you own a leasehold property (common in Kent’s converted Victorian houses), you can still qualify. However, you may need permission from your freeholder for the external heat pump unit installation.
Current Heating System Requirements
Your existing heating system must be fossil fuel-based or direct electric heating to qualify. This covers virtually all Kent and London Borough properties except those already with renewable heating.
Qualifying Heating Systems:
- Gas boilers (most common in Kent)
- Oil boilers (popular in rural Kent areas like villages around Canterbury)
- LPG heating (common in areas without mains gas)
- Direct electric heating (storage heaters, electric boilers)
- Solid fuel systems (coal, wood stoves as primary heating)
Systems That Don’t Qualify:
- Existing heat pumps
- District heating systems
- Properties with biomass as the main heating source
Kent-Specific Considerations: Many older Kent properties still use oil heating, particularly in rural areas around Ashford and Dover. These properties often see the largest savings from switching to heat pumps, making the grant especially valuable.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Requirements
Every qualifying property must have a valid EPC issued within the last 10 years. This requirement often catches Kent homeowners off-guard, but it’s easily resolved.
EPC Requirements:
- Must be dated within the last 10 years
- No minimum energy rating required (even F and G ratings qualify)
- Must be for the correct property and address
- Provisional EPCs are not accepted
Getting an EPC in Kent: If you don’t have a valid EPC or yours has expired, we can arrange one through local accredited assessors. The cost is typically £80-£120, and the assessment usually takes 1-2 hours.
EPC Considerations for Kent Properties: Many Victorian and Edwardian properties in Kent towns like Rochester and Canterbury have lower EPC ratings due to their age. However, low ratings don’t disqualify you – they often indicate the greatest potential for improvement and savings.
Property Size and Heat Pump Capacity Limits
The scheme caps heat pump capacity at 45kWth, but this covers virtually all domestic properties in Kent.
What This Means:
- Most 1-4 bedroom properties need 6-15kWth systems
- Large 5+ bedroom properties typically need 15-25kWth systems
- Only mansion-sized properties exceed the 45kWth limit
Kent Housing Context: From compact terraces in Chatham to large detached houses in Sevenoaks, the vast majority of Kent properties fall well within this limit. Even substantial period properties rarely exceed 30kWth requirements.
Geographic Eligibility: England and Wales Only
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers England and Wales, making all Kent properties eligible by location. However, it’s worth noting what this means for border areas:
Kent Advantages:
- All areas of Kent qualify
- No postcode restrictions
- Rural and urban properties equally eligible
- Islands (like Isle of Sheppey) are included
Installer Requirements Affecting Your Eligibility
While these aren’t property requirements, your chosen installer must meet specific criteria for your grant application to succeed:
Your Installer Must Be:
- MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certified
- Member of an approved consumer code (RECC, HIES, etc.)
- Properly insured for heat pump installation
- F-Gas certified for refrigerant handling
Through our comprehensive heat pump service, we meet all these requirements, ensuring your grant application proceeds smoothly.
Financial Eligibility: No Income Restrictions
Unlike many government schemes, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has no income restrictions or means testing. This makes it accessible to:
- First-time buyers with modest incomes
- Families in expensive Kent areas like Tunbridge Wells
- Retirees on fixed incomes
- High earners in London commuter towns
The scheme’s universal nature means eligibility depends purely on your property and installation requirements, not your financial circumstances.
Special Cases and Exceptions
Some situations require additional consideration but don’t necessarily disqualify you:
New Build Properties: Properties completed after the EPC was issued may need a new assessment to reflect the actual building as constructed.
Properties in Conservation Areas: Many Kent towns have conservation areas (Canterbury, Rochester, Faversham). While these properties qualify for grants, they may need planning permission, which could affect timing.
Listed Buildings: Listed properties can qualify, but installation may require listed building consent in addition to standard permissions.
Properties with Existing Solar Panels: Having solar panels doesn’t disqualify you and can actually enhance the benefits of heat pump installation.
What Disqualifies You from the Grant?
Understanding what makes properties ineligible helps avoid disappointment:
Definite Disqualifiers:
- Properties that already received BUS funding
- Properties in Scotland or Northern Ireland
- Properties with existing heat pumps as primary heating
- Systems over 45kWth capacity requirement
- Properties without valid EPCs
Previous Grant History: If you received funding through the old Green Homes Grant for a heat pump, you can’t get BUS funding. However, other energy efficiency improvements don’t affect eligibility.
How to Confirm Your Eligibility
The best way to confirm eligibility is through a professional assessment. Here’s our process:
Step 1: Initial Consultation We review your property details, current heating system, and any potential challenges.
Step 2: Property Survey Our qualified engineers visit to assess your property and confirm technical requirements.
Step 3: EPC Review We check your EPC status and arrange a new assessment if needed.
Step 4: Formal Confirmation We provide written confirmation of eligibility before proceeding with your application.
Next Steps for Eligible Kent Homeowners
If you meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is moving forward with your application. Our Boiler Upgrade Scheme service handles the entire process:
- Complete eligibility assessment
- Property survey and system design
- Grant application submission
- Installation scheduling and management
- Post-installation support and warranty
Don’t Delay Your Application With £295 million allocated for 2025 and grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, eligible Kent homeowners should act quickly to secure their funding.
Common Eligibility Questions from Kent Homeowners
Q: I have a combi boiler that’s only 5 years old. Can I still qualify? A: Yes, the age of your existing system doesn’t matter – only the type.
Q: My EPC is 8 years old but shows a D rating. Do I need a new one? A: Your EPC is still valid (under 10 years), so you can proceed with your application.
Q: I rent out my property in Bromley. Can I claim the grant? A: Yes, landlords can claim grants for rental properties.
Q: My house is quite large. How do I know if it’s under the 45kWth limit? A: We can assess this during our free survey – very few domestic properties exceed this limit.
Ready to confirm your eligibility for the £7,500 boiler grant? Contact our team of experienced heating engineers in Kent today for your free eligibility assessment. Call us on 020 8777 3984 to discover if you qualify and how much you could save.
