Octopus Energy's "Zero Bills" homes are new-build properties fitted with technology such as solar panels, batteries and heat pumps. Octopus guarantees no household energy bills for 10 years on these homes, subject to the tariff's terms. Some lenders now take this into account when deciding how much they'll lend.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Zero Bills mortgages

In May 2024, Octopus and the lender Perenna announced the first mortgage designed for Zero Bills homes. Perenna said it would factor the lower energy costs into its affordability checks, offer a lower rate than its standard mortgages, and require a smaller deposit. When we checked Perenna’s website in October 2026, its product pages listed fixed-rate mortgages of 5 to 10 years. After the fixed period ends, the rate moves to Perenna’s variable reversion rate. Perenna says early repayment charges apply only during the fixed-rate period and don’t apply if you sell or move home, or if you overpay by up to 10% a year.

In July 2026, Santander became the first high-street bank to offer a mortgage for Zero Bills homes. It counts the Zero Bills guarantee in its affordability assessment. Santander said eligible buyers could borrow up to £30,000 more than for a comparable home with typical energy costs.

Rates, terms and availability change. We couldn’t confirm in October 2026 whether Perenna still offers this mortgage. Check current deals with the lender or a mortgage broker.

How many Zero Bills homes are there?

In July 2026, Octopus said it had approved more than 6,000 Zero Bills homes with developers including Vistry, Thakeham, Wates and gs8, and aimed to deliver 100,000 by 2030. Accredited homes include homes for private sale and shared ownership, as well as affordable and social rent.

What no energy bills could be worth

The chart above shows typical household utility spending, based on the ONS Family Spending in the UK, April 2024 to March 2025, adjusted for inflation to May 2026. The data showed average monthly spending of £157 on electricity and gas, £138 on communications and TV, and £77 on water.

Under Ofgem's price cap, a typical household paying by Direct Debit was expected to pay £1,758 a year for gas and electricity between January and March 2026, and £1,723 a year between October and December 2026. If prices stayed at around that level, 10 years of energy bills would come to roughly £17,000 to £18,000. Actual savings depend on how much energy a home uses and on future prices.

Things to check

• the terms of the Zero Bills guarantee, including any limits on how much energy is covered

• the mortgage rate, fees and any early repayment charges, compared with other lenders' deals

• whether the lender's affordability check covers the property you're buying

Eligibility and acceptance are decided by each lender and depend on its own criteria and checks. Checking your eligibility does not guarantee that you'll be accepted.

This article doesn't cover the whole mortgage market. Other products not mentioned here may better suit some buyers. ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

Read more:

• How long does it take to pay back solar panels - and how much money will you make (or lose)?

• What’s the difference between an air source heat pump and a ground source heat pump?

• How Much Electricity Does My Appliance Use? From Fans to Slow Cookers

• Average Cost of Electricity per kWh in the UK