Saffery Champness is advising those wishing to make a legacy claim for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) support for a scheme installed between 15 July 2009 and 8 April 2014 to get moving. Claims not submitted by the deadline of 8 April 2015 will be ineligible.

Why the urgency when there are still eight months to the deadline? Shirley Mathieson, Head of Renewables at UK top 20 Chartered Accountants Saffery Champness said: There are certain hoops that need to be jumped through for a claim to be eligible, and these all take time. For example homes that had RHI schemes installed during the qualifying period may require certain alterations for a claim to be successful, such as metering being installed.

"In addition a Green Deal assessment will need to be undertaken and any specified work arising from that carried out, unless the home is new build with an Energy Performance Certificate that includes a heat demand figure.These steps take time."

Saffery Champness says that other points to note in connection with RHI claims are:

  • If a householder did not receive the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) then they can apply immediately, up until April 8 next year.
  • If a householder applied for RHPP funding before May 202013 they can apply between July 9 2014 and April 8 2015.
  • For those who applied for RHPP funding after 20 May 2013, they can apply between October 9 2014 and April 8 2015.
  • Failing to submit an application by April 8 2015 effectively closes the opportunity to submit an RHI application for systems installed between July 15 2009 and April 8 2014.

Shirley Mathieson said: "The message is simple – apply by April 8 next year or miss the opportunity completely."