The government has announced support for thousands more households '� including tenants living in HMOs - to help pay their energy bills.

Households without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier are covered by the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS AF) and can now apply via a secure online portal for the one-off, non-repayable lump sum of �400 under the '�alternative funding' route. These include social and private tenants who pay for energy through a landlord on a commercial supply.

Ministers have urged more than 900,000 eligible households across England, Scotland and Wales to apply for the cash as soon as possible which will be paid directly into their bank accounts.

As the council tax payer, a landlord must pass on the benefit in a fair and reasonable way as the '�pass-through requirement' for energy price support.

Last September, HMO landlords reacted angrily to the government's announcement that it would force those who operate '�all inclusive' rental properties to pass on the �400 rebate being made available via the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS). The NRLA accused the government of unnecessarily demonising landlords.

A government spokesman tells LandlordZONE: 'Under EBSS AF, houses in multiple occupation would only be eligible for one payment for the whole property in line with the main EBSS scheme, rather than one payment per person.'�

Urging

Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway (pictured), says: 'I'm urging everyone who couldn't get their EBSS discounts in the regular way to apply via our secure channels.

"If you don't have a direct contract with an electricity supplier, it's essential you submit your application as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner help can get to you.'�