Heat pumps generate strong headlines and uneven results in real properties. Whether they make sense in a particular rental depends on the fabric of the building far more than the politics of the moment.
Where they work well
Modern, well-insulated stock with low heat-loss figures and reasonable space for an outdoor unit. New-build flats with under-floor heating are often a sensible fit.
Where they struggle
Older properties with solid walls, sash windows and minimal insulation. A heat pump fitted into a leaky property will run hard, cost more to operate and disappoint everyone.
The honest landlord conversation
Heat pump installation in unimproved stock often only makes sense alongside a substantial insulation upgrade. Frame it as a package, not as a like-for-like boiler swap.
The right answer for most rental portfolios is selective — a programme that starts with the properties most likely to benefit.
