120 civil society groups, renter advocates, and industry leaders have come together ahead of the upcoming federal election to call for urgent action on improving the quality, affordability, and energy efficiency of rental homes
In recognition of mounting cost of living pressures alongside climate-related risks, the Healthy Homes for Renters collaboration has released a Joint Statement urging the Federal Government to provide funding and support to States and Territories to implement mandatory minimum energy performance standards in rental homes.
The joint statement, supported by 120 organisations, outlines key measures the Federal Government should take to help renters, and landlords, and cut climate change emissions. Examples of measures in the statement include:
- Establishing one-stop-shops to help landlords implement home energy upgrades, through access to advice, finance options, and tradespeople.
- Conditional and targeted funding and financing options could be offered to assist landlords in meeting new energy performance standards, coupled with stronger protections for renters, ensuring landlords cannot pass upgrade costs onto tenants through excessive rent increases.
- Mandatory energy performance disclosure, so renters know the efficiency of a home before they sign a lease.
- Support for workforce development to expand the capacity of trades and suppliers needed to implement upgrades.
The statement has received backing from a wide range of organisations and people, including tenant advocacy groups, community legal centres, social services organisations, environmental groups, and the real estate industry.
Joel Dignam, Executive Director, Better Renting, said:
"Too many renters are in substandard housing that is too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and too expensive to keep at a healthy and comfortable temperature."
"Renters across Australia should be sharing in the benefits of a transition to efficient electric homes that are healthier to live in and cheaper to run. While owner occupiers can make choices to cut their energy bills and improve their home's comfort, renters are entirely in the hands of their landlord"
"A national approach is needed to help states and territories implement strong energy efficiency standards while ensuring protections for renters. We're calling for federal leadership to do their part so that all Australians can have a healthy home and affordable energy bills."
Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, ACOSS, said:
"The next Federal Government must act urgently to help millions of private renters with the cost of living pressures, reduce high energy bills, and improve their health and well-being."
"Too many renters are getting sick and in some cases dying because they cannot cool their homes in the worsening summer heat, and are skipping meals, medicines, medical treatments and other essentials to afford their energy bills and rents."
"To improve the energy performance of private rental properties, help renters and meet climate change reduction targets, the next federal government must tackle the barriers head-on and provide conditional tailored support for landlords while protecting renters from cost pass-through and ensuring they benefit from cheaper energy bills."
Jacob Caine, President, Real Estate Institute of Victoria, said:
"Ensuring renters have access to energy-efficient homes is essential for reducing cost-of-living pressures, improving health outcomes, and meeting Australia's emissions reduction targets.
"Federal and state governments must take a leadership role in supporting mandatory energy performance standards by providing targeted financial assistance, regulatory support, and incentives to effectively realise the transition of the established built environment to high-energy efficiency.
"A national approach that supports landlords in upgrading properties while ensuring affordability for tenants is key to delivering a fair and sustainable housing future.
"I endorse the Healthy Homes for Renters Joint Statement calling for a collaborative approach to delivering energy-efficient homes for Australian renters."
Leo Patterson-Ross, CEO, Tenants' Union of NSW, said:
"The quality and energy efficiency of Australian homes are slowly being improved, but we are currently risking leaving some homes behind with renters stuck in homes that are too hot, too cold or too expensive to keep safe and healthy. We want to ensure the process of improving existing properties is smooth and fair - leaving no one out just because of where they live or who their landlord happens to be.
"The breadth of support for this statement shows just how many people across Australia are concerned that we address the cost of living, the health and the environmental impacts of low-quality housing."
Cecilia Schutz, External Affairs Manager, SA Power Networks, said:
"The energy transition must be equitable, which means all households have access to the resources to optimise their energy use. Improved energy efficiency will not only have a positive impact on the well-being of households, but it will also work to minimise unnecessary investments in the electricity grid, which will have longer-term positive bill impacts for customers."
Renter case study: Lisa Rime, Hobart
For many renters, even simple energy efficiency upgrades can make a huge difference in their quality of life. Lisa Rime, a renter in Hobart, Tasmania, saw her home transformed after her landlord completed basic energy efficiency improvements. In the two years since those upgrades, Lisa has noticed a significant improvement in comfort and affordability.
"Like many Australian renters I live under the poverty line due to disability. Before the energy efficiency upgrades I was really struggling. The cold and mould in my home exacerbated my conditions and we burned so much firewood trying to cope with damp south Tassie Winters. On bad days my inflammation and pain was so intense I could barely think straight. In spite of layers of wool clothing and blankets, I'd be locked in intractable pain and panic."
"After requests and assessments faulty RCAC was replaced, and thanks to government funding insulation was put in the ceiling and underfloor. The benefits were immediate! The mould abated. My health improved. I can now keep my home comfortable, live a healthier fuller life and give back so much more to my community.
"I wish all rental homes in Australia could be brought up to standard like this. Every home should provide healthy shelter."
Renter case study: Madeline Cooper, Melbourne
But not all renters are as lucky as Lisa. Madeline is a renter in Melbourne – in 2023 her landlord finally complied with Victorian minimum standards and installed an energy efficient reverse cycle air conditioner in her living room. However, the rest of the house is still sweltering.
"Often in summer I end up 'camping out' on the couch because it's above 30 degrees in my bedroom when I'm trying to sleep. My entire life becomes dominated by the weather, and trying to stay safe and healthy inside my own home."
"While I'm thankful I do have at least one room in my house that's cool enough to shelter in because of the AC, I'd much rather have a well-insulated home with well-fitted windows."
The upcoming federal election is a crucial moment for policymakers to commit to ensuring all Australians-whether they rent or own-can live in homes that are safe, healthy, and affordable to heat and cool.
Please find below the following links.
