Too many renters are struggling with high energy bills and unsafe homes. The Federal Government must step up to ensure landlords improve rental homes. We’ve joined with 120 other civil society and industry organisations and signed on to the Healthy Homes for Renters joint statement to show our support for mandatory energy performance standards:

Read the full list of signatories and the briefing note here: Advocates and Industry Unite to Urge Federal Government to Support Renters and Landlords with Energy Upgrades.

While home owners have the facility to address energy efficiency and add solar to reduce energy costs and improve thermal comfort, renters are at the mercy of landlords for improvements.

The joint statement 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.

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.”

This statement is also supported by Industry players. 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.”

Madeline Cooper, a renter in Melbourne, said that 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.

References:

Healthy Homes for Renters, 21 February 2025, Advocates and Industry Unite to Urge Federal Government to Support Renters and Landlords with Energy Upgrades https://www.healthyhomes.org.au/news/advocates-and-industry-unite-to-urge-federal-government-to-support-renters-and-landlords-with-energy-upgrades