A payment will be issued to households in the UK later this year to help with soaring energy costs amid the cost of living crisis. A rebate worth £400 will be applied to gas and electricity bills for around 28 million homes across the country from October.
The funding was announced earlier this year by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who has just recently resigned from his role in the Cabinet, as part of a new £15 billion package to aid the cost of living.
However there will be thousands of people that will miss out on the help being provided by the government, as the energy pay out is being applied to every gas and electricity account, not per household.
READ MORE:
This means that if you rent your property, your landlord could end up pocketing the £400 payment instead, reports the Mirror.
Put simply, if you are a tenant and your energy bills are included in your rent cost, effectively being dealt with and paid by your landlord, this means the rebate will technically go to them.
In theory, the landlord would be expected to pass on this reduction in what they charge you - but there is nothing that can force them to do this.
The landlord is only legally allowed to charge the same price they paid, but tenants can struggle to enforce their rights if they think they’re being overcharged.
Citizens Advice suggests more than one in eight private renters - equivalent to 585,000 people - may miss out on vital cost of living support.
This includes the £400 energy rebate and also the Warm Home Discount, which is set to be worth £150 this winter.
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “With the price of energy at a record high, it’s vital that government support reaches the people it’s intended for. We’re worried that many tenants are falling through the cracks, putting them at risk of missing out on money to help them with soaring bills.
“Renters must be able to take control of their energy payments if they want to, so they can get all the support they need.
“The government should also bring forward clear guidance for landlords to make sure tenants don’t miss out on the upcoming £400 energy grant.”
If you rent but you pay your bills separately, so you only pay rent to your landlord, then the £400 discount will be applied to your account as expected.
Some caravan owners and those who live in a boat will also not get the £400 energy help.
READ NEXT:
People urged to check if they have 50p coin that has sold for hundreds on eBay
Average age that first-time buyers purchase their first home - and it might surprise you
Manchester's sought-after homes that have been viewed the most times on Rightmove
Cheapest one-bed flats and apartments you can rent in Manchester city centre
The most affordable areas for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder in Greater Manchester
