An energy discount worth £400 will be applied to the gas and electricity bills of households across the country from October.
The money will be added to gas and electricity accounts for around 28 million homes from October in England, Scotland and Wales. The funding was confirmed earlier this year by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of a new £15billion cost of living package.
However, renters should be aware that they may miss out on the help. If you rent your property and your energy bill is included in your rent then the money would go to your landlord, reported The Mirror.
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Put simply, the £400 energy rebate is being applied to every gas and electricity account - not per household. So if your landlord is in charge of dealing with your energy bill, this means the rebate would 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.
The Government has recognised on its website that some people might miss out on the energy rebate. They advise that they are "exploring the issue" as they "continue to develop the policy". In the meantime, speak to your landlord if you're struggling.
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