Insulation rebates for landlords in California exist, but each has its own rule about who may apply. DuloCore checked the official utility, state and regional pages on October 13, 2026.
Can a Landlord Get an Insulation Rebate in California?
Yes, in some places. As of October 13, 2026, LADWP accepts attic insulation rebate applications from verified property owners, and a Bay Area program lists insulation among multifamily upgrades. SoCalGas limits insulation rebates to customers affected by the 2025 wildfires in listed ZIP codes, postmarked by December 31, 2026.
| Program | What its page says on October 13, 2026 |
|---|---|
| LADWP Attic Insulation Rebate Program | Verified property owner may apply; address must have an active LADWP electric meter; $0.30 or $0.50 per square foot |
| SoCalGas 2026 rebate application | Only customers affected by the 2025 wildfires in listed ZIP codes; postmarked by December 31, 2026; attic $1.45 to $3.00 per square foot; the wildfire box is worded for an applicant who lives in a listed ZIP code |
| SCE Home Performance Plus | Customers who rent or own, in Disadvantaged or Low-Income communities; attic $1.07 per square foot; wall $1.06 |
| Energy Savings Assistance (SoCalGas, SDG&E) | Income-qualified renters and owners; attic insulation listed at no cost; owner permission may be needed |
| Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements | Multifamily buildings in nine Bay Area counties; base rebate of $500 per unit for two or more upgrades that save 10% or more of the building's energy |
The first row comes from LADWP's Attic Insulation Rebate Program page, linked in the next section. For a home you live in, the California insulation rebates page covers LADWP's rebate and the no-cost programs.
Can a Landlord Apply for the LADWP Attic Insulation Rebate?
Yes. LADWP accepts an application from the customer of record or the verified property owner, who must submit proof of ownership.
LADWP is the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the installation address must have an active residential electric meter served by LADWP. Its Attic Insulation Rebate Program page covers single-family homes, duplexes, condos and apartment units:
- The rebate is $0.50 per square foot for batt or roll insulation rated above R-19 and $0.30 for R-19 or below.
- Where a duplex shares one attic, the full attic floor above conditioned space must be insulated unless a permanent fixture divides it.
- Rebates are limited to one per residence every 15 years and can't exceed 80% of qualifying costs.
- Funds are limited and rebates aren't guaranteed.
The Los Angeles insulation rebates page covers the documents and how to apply.
Does Southern California Gas Pay Landlords for Insulation?
Only in limited cases. The 2026 application limits insulation rebates to customers affected by 2025 wildfires in listed ZIP codes, postmarked by December 31, 2026.
SoCalGas's 2026 Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Program application has a general rule for rentals: an owner who bought and installed equipment in a rental home must send proof of ownership matching the install address. A tenant who applies is responsible for getting the property owner's permission.
For customers affected by the 2025 wildfires in the listed ZIP codes only, the attic insulation rebate runs from $1.45 per square foot at R-11 to $3.00 at R-60, and wall insulation is $1.65 per square foot. Attic insulation must be added to existing insulation, and wall insulation must be blown into a pre-1988 home with no existing insulation. The home must have a natural gas furnace and the equipment must be installed in a listed ZIP code. Applications must be postmarked by December 31, 2026.
One caution: the wildfire confirmation box has the applicant confirm that they live in a listed ZIP code and were affected by a 2025 wildfire in Southern California. The application doesn't say how an owner who lives elsewhere should answer it, so that owner should ask SoCalGas first.
Do SCE Insulation Rebates Cover Rental Homes?
SCE's own rebates page lists no insulation rebate. It points to Home Performance Plus, for renters or owners in Disadvantaged or Low-Income communities.
SCE's rebates page says the program is offered to SCE residential electric customers who rent or own a single-family detached home, or a unit in a building with a maximum of four units, within Disadvantaged or Low-Income communities.
The Home Performance Plus rebates page lists $1.07 per square foot for attic insulation and $1.06 for wall insulation, for homes under 3,000 square feet with one of the listed heating and cooling combinations. Neither page says whether the owner or the tenant applies for a rented home.
Can Tenants Get Free Insulation With the Owner's Approval?
Possibly, for income-qualified households. SoCalGas and SDG&E list attic insulation under Energy Savings Assistance at no cost, and owner permission may be needed.
- SoCalGas. Its Energy Savings Assistance page notes that the contractor may need the property owner's permission in renter-occupied households.
- SDG&E. Its no-cost improvements page says duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes qualify, and that not all customers qualify for all services. A co-pay may be required for landlords who own appliances and pay tenant utility bills.
- SCE. Its Energy Savings Assistance page for SCE customers lists weatherization services without naming insulation. Renters may need the owner's written permission.
- PG&E. Its assistance page covers renters and homeowners. It doesn't mention insulation.
The eligibility check shows which programs fit a specific household.
What Is There for Owners of Apartment Buildings?
Three programs name property owners: the utilities' Multifamily Whole Building program, the state's Low-Income Weatherization Program for multi-family housing, and a Bay Area rebate program.
Of the pages checked for these three, only the Bay Area one names insulation.
- Multifamily Whole Building. SCE's page, linked above, says it delivers weatherization measures to income-qualified property owners and residents. Neither it nor the PG&E page names insulation.
- Low-Income Weatherization Program. The state's Multi-Family Energy Efficiency and Renewables page says incentive payments are available to property owners of qualifying low-income multi-family buildings for agreed-upon scopes of work. It lists no amounts and doesn't name insulation.
- Bay Area. BayREN's rebates page lists attic, wall and floor insulation among common upgrades. The base rebate is $500 per unit for installing two or more upgrades that save 10% or more of the building's energy. Its program page requires more than 5 units, or 2 to 4 units with a central system, in one of nine Bay Area counties with an active PG&E account. Market-rate properties with 50 units or more aren't eligible, and rebates must be reserved before buying or installing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Landlord and a Tenant Both Claim a Rebate for the Same Attic?
Not under LADWP's program, which limits the rebate to one per residence every 15 years.
Who Receives the LADWP Rebate Check?
The applicant, unless the application gives an alternate payee authorization.
Did the Federal Insulation Tax Credit End?
Yes. The federal 25C home energy credit ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. DuloCore doesn't give tax advice.
Own a rental home in California? Estimate rebates for your ZIP code with the free rebate calculator.