Flats in converted houses and ECO4: questions UK households ask (guide 2026)

Guide by ApplyFreeBoiler.uk (Reliant Energy Solutions Ltd), a heating and insulation installer in Bury, Greater Manchester. We are not the government, Ofgem or an energy supplier.

Many UK flats are inside older houses that were split into two or more homes, often Victorian or Edwardian terraces and semis. Each flat may have its own boiler and meters, but the loft, outside walls and roof are usually shared, and someone else may own the building. That raises a few common questions when a flat like this is assessed for ECO4. This guide covers questions households commonly ask. It is general information from ApplyFreeBoiler.uk, a heating and insulation installer in Bury. What is recommended depends on the survey and the scheme rules at the time. This page does not guarantee funding.

1. Which floor you are on

Tell the surveyor whether your flat is on the ground, middle or top floor, as this affects which insulation could apply.

2. Who owns the building

Say whether you own your flat on a lease, rent it, or share the freehold, and who looks after the roof and outside walls.

3. Permission for shared parts

Work on a shared loft or outside wall may need the freeholder's or other owners' agreement, so it helps to know who to ask.

4. Your own heating

Say whether your flat has its own boiler, how old it is, where it is located and where its flue comes out.

5. Meters

Mention where your gas and electricity meters are, as in converted houses they are often in a shared hallway or cellar.

6. Rooms that stay cold

Note rooms that never warm up properly, such as rooms under the roof or over an unheated hallway.

7. Clear access

Clear space around the boiler, meters and any loft hatch you can reach before the survey visit.

8. Check funding and local figures

See ECO measures by council on ApplyFreeBoiler.uk, built from DESNZ Household Energy Efficiency statistics, to see how many ECO measures have been installed in your local authority area. Use the ApplyFreeBoiler.uk eligibility check to see whether an ECO4 heating or insulation pathway may be available for your home in England, Scotland or Wales. ECO4 is due to close on 31 December 2026.