Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
242. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he would consider creating a targeted SEAI operated schemes for non-institutional landlords that would seek to increase the uptake in retrofitting projects by landlords to ensure that rented properties meet a high level BER rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6034/26]
View answerRental properties can present a specific challenge for energy efficiency improvements. This is an issue found in most countries where the incentives to invest in energy upgrades can be misaligned between landlords and tenants.
A range of energy upgrade supports are available to non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to improve the efficiency of their rental properties including:
• the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, delivered through the One Stop Shops, provides grant support for private landlords (with higher supports available for AHBs) seeking to upgrade their property to a B2 level;
• the Better Energy Homes Scheme for step-by-step retrofits and Solar PV Scheme provides support for private and commercial landlords; and
• the Community Energy Grant Scheme (CEG) supports cross-sectoral, partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types. The CEG Scheme is suitable for private and commercial landlords and is focused on the delivery of homes.
In addition to these supports, a tax incentive is available to encourage small-scale landlords to undertake retrofitting works while the tenant remains in situ. This measure provides for a tax deduction of up to €10,000 per property, against Case V rental income, for certain retrofitting expenses incurred by the landlord on rented residential properties, for a maximum of two rental properties. Full details are set out in Section 32 of the Finance Act 2022.
Private landlords can also apply for low cost loans under the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme. The scheme is available nationwide and homeowners, including landlords, can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years at significantly lower interest rates to those currently on the market. Rates start from as low as 2.99% with the price varying depending on the finance provider. In 2025, the group of participating lenders was expanded to include Avant Money (in partnership with An Post) and seven credit unions from the Irish League of Credit Unions.
The SEAI has a dedicated page on their website which provides more detailed information on the range of options available to private and commercial landlords who wish to make their properties more energy efficient. The page can be accessed at: [www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/supports-for-landlords] .
