State governments are being urged to introduce tougher regulations and standards to drive electrification and energy efficiency in rental properties, and to allow renters to use plug-in balcony solar, portable batteries, and bi-directional EV chargers, without needing to clear it with the landlord.
Rewiring Australia has put forward five policy strategies it believes will prompt landlords to electrify the properties they own, starting with minimum rental standards in every state and territory requiring gas appliances like hot water systems and heaters to be replaced with efficient electric alternatives at end of life.
In addition to replacing gas appliances, Rewiring Australia is also suggesting mandatory heat disclosures so renters know what a property costs to heat and cool, in line with a voluntary trial in New South Wales.
Rewiring Australia also wants landlords to be made to pay all fixed gas costs, and to provide funding for property improvements such as loans repayable when a property is sold.
“Renters carry the full cost of a gas connection – a connection they didn’t choose and can’t remove,” the policy proposal says. “Fixed gas costs should sit with the landlord, the same way water bills already do. This creates a real incentive to get rental properties off gas.”
Rentals are among the trickiest properties to electrify because the direct benefits go to tenants, rather than landlords.
From May 2027, Victoria is actively mandating rental standards that require gas water heaters and room heaters be replaced with electric when they reach the end of their life, and minimum insulation requirements.
NSW is currently exploring similar ideas, and all ACT rentals have to meet minimum insulation standards by December this year.
And the federal government’s Solar Sharer offer, which kicks in from July to provide three hours of free power during the middle of the day, an offer which will be copied by Victoria.
“In Europe and the United States, plug-in solar is taking off because it’s simple – you can buy it, plug it in, and start saving straight away,” Rewiring Australia CEO Francis Vierboom said in a statement.
“Australia is falling behind because our rules haven’t kept up with what’s now possible.
“This is a simple regulatory fix: update the standards, allow these devices, and make it clear landlords can’t unreasonably say no.”
There is already a quiet push for plug-in solar batteries to be allowed in Australia.
Renew Economy has reported on the lobbying by battery manufacturers and energy consultants for laws and standards to be changed so, as in Europe and the US, renters and apartment dwellers can plug these in without needing electricians or permission.
Energy Consumers Australia has been working for a number of years on gas fees to protect renters and people on low incomes from paying heavier costs as more people quit gas.
It has helped to pitch – and secure – a number of rule changes by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) that are beginning to organise who will cover which costs as gas use declines, and is calling on governments to step up to protect renters and others.
For its part, Rewiring Australia says it is making a submission to the NSW government’s consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals, while also mobilising community groups in the lead up to state elections to call for minimum rental standards.
The group is also advocating for federal funding to enable universal access to finance and supporting and researching demonstration projects that test possible solutions such as portable technology pilots and affordable EV charging.
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Rachel Williamson
Rachel Williamson is a science and business journalist, who focuses on climate change-related health and environmental issues.
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