Property Types

Can I get a heat pump in a flat?

Last updated: March 2026 · 6 min read

Flats make up a significant portion of the housing stock in England and Wales, and owners of flats are increasingly asking whether they can access the government's heat pump grant. The honest answer is that it is more complicated for flats than for houses — not impossible in every case, but facing practical and legal barriers that do not apply to other property types. This article explains the situation clearly so you know where you stand.

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Quick answer

Heat pumps in flats are technically possible but face significant practical and legal challenges. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not explicitly exclude flats, but the physical requirements of an air source heat pump — primarily the need for an outdoor unit — create difficulties in most flat situations. Leaseholders also typically need freeholder permission for external alterations, which adds another layer of complexity. Some ground-floor flats with private outdoor space and cooperative freeholders have managed to proceed, but for the majority of flat owners this route is either very difficult or not currently viable.

Important: This article provides general guidance only. Final eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme must be confirmed by an MCS-certified installer who can assess your specific property. The situation for flats is genuinely complex — professional advice is particularly important here.

The core challenge — the outdoor unit

An air source heat pump extracts heat from outside air using an outdoor unit roughly the size of a large air conditioning unit. For a house this is straightforward — the unit goes in the garden or on an exterior wall. For a flat, placing this unit is a significant problem.

Upper-floor flats have no direct access to ground-level outdoor space. Placing the unit on a balcony may be possible in some cases but raises questions about noise for neighbours, adequate airflow around the unit, and whether the balcony structure can support the weight. Placing it on an external wall of the building requires access to the building fabric, which in a leasehold situation is typically the freeholder's responsibility — not the leaseholder's.

Ground-floor flats with a private garden or patio area are in the best position among flat types, as the outdoor unit can potentially be placed in that space. But even here, the unit is likely to be visible from or audible to neighbouring flats, which can raise objections from other residents or the freeholder.

The leasehold problem

Most flats in England and Wales are held on a leasehold basis. This means the flat owner does not own the building fabric — the walls, roof, and external areas belong to the freeholder. Any alteration that affects the external fabric of the building, including drilling through an external wall to run refrigerant pipes, typically requires the freeholder's written consent.

Freeholders — whether a management company, a local authority, or a private landlord — are not obliged to grant this consent. Some will, particularly in smaller buildings where the freeholder is cooperative and the installation can be designed sensitively. Many will not, particularly in larger blocks where the management company has to consider the interests of all residents and the appearance of the building.

Even where freeholder consent is granted, the terms of the lease itself may contain clauses that restrict alterations. It is essential to review your lease and take legal advice before assuming consent can be obtained.

Planning permission considerations

Heat pump installations on houses typically fall under permitted development rights, meaning planning permission is not required. For flats the position is different. Permitted development rights for heat pumps do not generally apply to flats in the same way as houses. Installing an outdoor unit on the external wall or roof of a flat building is likely to require planning permission in most cases, which adds time, cost, and uncertainty to the process.

Properties in conservation areas, listed buildings, or areas with article 4 directions removing permitted development rights face additional restrictions. Many blocks of flats in urban areas fall into one or more of these categories.

When a heat pump in a flat might be feasible

There are scenarios where a heat pump installation in a flat is worth exploring further, though all of them require careful assessment:

Ground-floor flat with a private garden. The outdoor unit can potentially be placed in the garden space. Freeholder consent is still required for external pipework, but the physical placement challenge is more manageable.
Flat where the owner also owns the freehold. Where a flat owner owns their share of the freehold — common in purpose-converted houses split into two or three flats — the consent barrier may be lower if all freeholders agree.
Small building with a cooperative freeholder. In a small block where the freeholder is an individual or small management company willing to engage constructively, consent may be obtainable with the right approach.
Purpose-built low-rise flat with private outdoor space. Some purpose-built developments have been designed with individual outdoor spaces per unit that could accommodate a heat pump unit, particularly in newer developments.

Alternatives worth considering for flat owners

For flat owners who cannot proceed with a standard air source heat pump, there are some alternative directions worth being aware of, though not all are covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Whole-building installations

In some cases, a heat pump installation for the entire building — rather than a single flat — can be a viable route. This requires all or most residents and the freeholder to be aligned, and is more commonly seen in purpose-built blocks undergoing planned upgrades. Some local authorities and social housing providers are pursuing this approach at scale. For private leaseholders it requires a significant level of coordination but is worth exploring in buildings where there is appetite for it.

Heat networks

Some urban areas have or are developing heat networks — district heating systems that deliver heat to multiple properties from a central source. Where a heat network is available or planned in your area, connecting to it may be a more practical route to low-carbon heating than an individual heat pump. Check with your local authority whether any heat network projects are planned in your area.

Improving the existing system

For flat owners who cannot access the heat pump grant, focusing on improving insulation and reducing heat loss remains the most effective way to reduce heating costs and carbon emissions in the short term. Loft insulation where accessible, draught proofing, and upgrading controls and thermostats can all make a meaningful difference without requiring external alterations.

What to do if you own a flat and want to explore this

If you own a flat and believe your specific situation might make a heat pump feasible, the first steps are:

Review your lease to understand what alterations require consent and what restrictions apply
Contact your freeholder or managing agent to gauge whether they would consider an application for consent
Speak to an MCS-certified installer who has experience with flats — some do, and they can advise on whether your specific situation is workable before you invest significant time
Check whether permitted development rights apply to your property or whether planning permission would be required

Do not assume the answer is either definitely yes or definitely no without going through these steps for your specific property. The situation varies considerably depending on the building, the lease, and the freeholder.

If you own a house rather than a flat, use our free 2-minute eligibility checker to get an initial indication of whether you may qualify for the £7,500 heat pump grant.

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Summary

Heat pumps in flats are not impossible but face significant practical and legal barriers that do not apply to houses. The outdoor unit placement challenge, leasehold consent requirements, and planning permission considerations make it difficult for the majority of flat owners to proceed with a standard air source heat pump installation under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Ground-floor flats with private outdoor space and cooperative freeholders are the most feasible scenario. For most flat owners, the honest picture is that this is either very difficult or not currently viable — but the situation is worth assessing for your specific property before ruling it out entirely.

Final eligibility must always be confirmed by an MCS-certified installer who can assess your specific property and situation.