A Brighouse energy-efficiency specialist is urging private landlords to take advantage of a government decision to extend the Green Deal Fund from November.

The extension means an additional £100m is subsidies is available for those who want to insulate their properties.

The additional cash in the fund is the second tranche offered as part of the government scheme to increase the energy efficiency capabilities of homes throughout the UK.

Applications for the first £450m opened in May, but were scooped up in less than three months, with the fund running dry by the end of July.

The second batch of government funding will open for applications in November and – following the success of the previous Green Deal funding – is expected to run out in record time.

Ploughcroft said landlords should act quickly to take advantage of the free cash and ensure their properties meet energy efficiency standards before government legislation changes in 2016.

Managing director Chris Hopkins said: “As part of the government’s scheme to meet energy efficiency targets, from 2016 landlords across the UK  will be unable to refuse any reasonable requests made by tenants for any energy efficient home improvements.

“Additionally, by 2018, landlords will be forbidden from letting properties with a poor energy efficiency rating, meaning there’s nowhere for landlords to hide when it comes to making updates to their properties.

“By tackling the issue now, landlords can take advantage of the money-saving scheme and ensure that they don’t take the hit all at once, as well as ensuring they are future proofing their properties.”