Environment Victoria leads push for state government reform of energy efficiency in rentals

VICTORIAN rental homes would have to meet minimum efficiency standards under a proposal to tackle rising bills and health issues caused by extreme temperatures in homes.

RELIEF for Victorian tenants who shiver in winter and sweat in summer in their rental properties could be on the way.

Environment Victoria wants to see rising bills, health issues, discomfort and the environmental impacts of inefficient homes addressed by a Bill setting minimum energy efficiency standards.

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Spokesman Dr Nicholas Aberle said the gradual introduction of new standards would ensure it was affordable for landlords and did not lead to large rent increases.

Relief for Victorian tenants who shiver in winter and sweat in summer in their rental properties could be on the way.

“There are a lot of Victorians who are a lot colder than they need to be simply because their homes aren’t built for Melbourne’s weather,” Dr Aberle said.

“What we’re looking at is a staged implementation over a couple of years, starting with the worst offenders in terms of energy efficiency and gradually raising it up.”

Dr Aberle said a “solid” energy efficiency upgrade for an average home would cost around $5000, which spread over four or five years was a “very small percentage” of rental income.

“This would help the hundreds of thousands of Victorians who are renters deal with their energy bills,” he said.

Rosie, 29, who did not want her surname published, is ­enduring winter in a draughty Preston property with her partner and their new baby.

“I have things stuffed under all the doors and in the windows,” she said.

“I’ve ended up sleeping with our baby because I can’t reliably keep her warm.

“And the living room is ­unusable in summer ­because it’s so hot. I think our summer electricity bill was about $700.”

Vulnerable and low-income tenants are most affected by the lack of lawful standards, says Tenants Victoria.

Its CEO Mark O’Brien said: “Minimum standards are a very important safeguard primarily for low-income tenants that the market itself won’t ­deliver and has shown no ­capacity to deliver.

“Where the market failed the government has to regulate, and the introduction of minimum standards will ensure that all households that are renting at least have a dwelling that is of a current reasonable standard.”

A Bill to reform the Residential Tenancies Act will be introduced into parliament this year. Minister for Consumer Affairs Marlene Kairouz said: “We know how important energy efficiency is for comfort and reducing bills, and we’re examining a range of options to improve the standard of homes for renters.”

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