Grants in Northern Ireland

A list of grants and financial incentives currently available to help with your self-build or home improvement project in Northern Ireland (NI) today.

In this article we cover:

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List with links of what grants are available in Northern Ireland today
Energy upgrade grants
What fiscal incentives exist
What utilities have to offer
Adaptation grants
Oil buying clubs
Low income schemes

When it comes to grants and financial incentives for self-builders in Northern Ireland, the options are unfortunately limited. While there are a handful of schemes aimed at helping homeowners with renovations or upgrades, support for new builds remains scarce.

1. Feed in tariff for renewables

The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation Certificates (NIROCs) scheme was closed in April 2017 so there is no longer a financial incentive from the government to generate your own electricity from solar (photovoltaic – PV) or wind.

However you can still get paid for the energy you export to the grid with what’s referred to as an export payment; you must have an NIE Networks import / export meter fitted to allow you to do this. Export payments from Power NI are 10.32 p/kWh until September 30, 2025.

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Great Britain has a different regime; there the Smart Export Guarantee replaced the now defunct feed-in tariff system. The Smart Export Guarantee is GB only so does not apply to NI.

2. Tax rebates

In Northern Ireland, new builds are exempt from VAT, but you’ll need to keep all your receipts and apply for a refund at the end of the project. This zero VAT rate is available to self-builders (new builds).

If you’re converting or changing the use of a property that’s been unoccupied for at least 10 years, you can also claim back the VAT. Homes that have been vacant for two or more years before work begins qualify for a reduced VAT rate of 5% — you can find a useful FAQ about this here.

The zero VAT rate also applies to work done for someone with a disability or terminal illness.

The reduced rate VAT of 5 per cent applies to mobility aids, heating and security work for people over 60.

3. Oil buying club

Group with your neighbours to get a better deal from oil suppliers to fill your tank. More information on the NI Oil Buying Network here. Average savings are currently £10 – £30 on 200 litres of oil for OBN members.

4. Housing Executive grants

There are several grants available for homes in serious need of repair, though they can be difficult to qualify for. If you own a historic building, Ulster Architectural Heritage has a useful guide to the grants you may be eligible for.

For those with mobility or disability needs, the Disabled Facilities Grant can cover all works recommended by an Occupational Therapist, typically up to £35,000 (with an absolute maximum of £70,000). This grant can be combined with a Replacement Grant, which provides up to £31,500 for a home of up to 80sqm.

If your total annual gross income is under £23,000, you might qualify for the Affordable Warmth Scheme, managed by the NI Energy Advice Service (NIEAS). For more information, you can call 0800 111 44 55 or email NIenergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk.

While there are more grant options, many can be hard to get. You can find more details on NIHE grants here.

5. Low income schemes

Bryson Energy in partnership with Belfast City Council runs a handyman service for the elderly. More here.

There are additional grants available through the Utility Regulator’s Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme which has been extended for two years, from April 1, 2025 until March 31, 2027. Details for the schemes in operation until March 2025 are below (to be updated):

NISEP-List-of-Schemes-2024-25-Republication-version-3 Download

Many of these measures are fully funded, covering upgrades to efficient heating systems and insulation improvements. However, they are only available to low-income households, for example, single-person households with an income or pension below £28,000 before tax, or couples/single-parent families with an income or pension below £35,000 before tax.

The boiler replacement scheme, which ended in 2023, provided a £1,000 grant to help replace boilers over 15 years old with energy-efficient options, such as condensing oil or gas boilers or wood pellet boilers.

Savings to be made in NI with replacing a boiler are available from the Energy Savings Trust, as below: