Equity loan scheme - call for evidence: consultation

The equity loan pilot has delivered energy efficient and zero emission heating solutions to eligible homeowners since its inception in 2017. We now wish to consider the potential to develop the pilot as part of the suite of support schemes for the decarbonisation of Scottish homes.


Annex A

Eligibility Criteria for the Equity Loan Pilot

The property that work is to be carried out on must be in Perth & Kinross, Stirling, Dundee, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Argyll and Bute or the Western Isles council areas. The following people can apply:

  • Owners of properties in Council Tax bands A - C, or owners (or permanent occupiers, like partners or children) who receive the qualifying benefits. (see below)
  • Private landlords with no more than two properties to rent that are in Council Tax bands A - C, or whose tenants receive the qualifying benefits. A landlord must be classed as a 'natural person' (meaning they're not registered as a business) and cannot own more than two properties.

List of qualifying benefits

If any of the permanent occupiers (including homeowner, their children or partner, or their tenants) receive any of the qualifying benefits listed below, then you can apply for the HEEPS Equity Loan. The qualifying benefits are:

  • Guarantee element of the Pension Credit
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Universal Credit
  • Any of the benefits replaced by Universal Credit, like income-based Job Seekers' Allowance, Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Reduction (excluding the 25% discount for single occupancy)
  • Carer's Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • War Disablement Pension
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Equity Loan Pilot Eligible Measures

Energy Efficiency
Repairs that reduce heat loss through the building fabric and/or reduce damp or moisture penetration Insulation (including external wall, internal wall, cavity wall, lofts, rooms in roofs, flat roof, under floor and primary pipework)
Gas, oil or LPG boiler Solar (PV, thermal and PVT)
Warm air unit Draught proofing
Electrical storage heaters Hot water tanks
Heating controls Double glazing (new or replacement) and secondary glazing
Radiator panels Gas connection (to the mains or to a district heating system)
Repairs to existing systems (if this is more cost effective than a full replacement) External doors
Biomass boilers and stoves Low energy lighting
Heat pumps (air source, ground source and water source) Works that improve water efficiency
Repairs
Roof structure, coverings and flashings Rainwater good
Chimney stacks and heads (including removal) Work to eradicate rising and penetrating damp
External wall repairs including finishes Work required to make god plaster and/or decoration after a repair
Active and passive ventilation systems Repairs considered essential to allow an approved measure to be carried out, for example if re-wiring is needed to allow electrically powered energy efficiency measures to be installed
Wet and dry rot Other repairs to be considered on a case by case basis (not including purely cosmetic)

Contact

Email: heatinhomesequityloan@gov.scot

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