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last mo.

New Report Finds Most Renters Skipping Heating and Cooling, Fueling Calls for Rental Energy Standards

The findings heighten pressure for nationally consistent rules ahead of a hotter, pricier summer.

As new minimum standards start to gain traction, so too are expectations that landlords — at least in part — cover the cost of meeting them.
A For Lease sign advertising a rental property in Carlton North.

Overview

  • Energy Consumers Australia surveyed about 4,000 households and found roughly 70% of renters avoid heating or cooling to save money, with two in five saying comfortable indoor temperatures require a lot of energy.
  • Rental homes trail owner-occupied properties on basic efficiency, with insulation present in 36% of rentals versus 78% of owner-occupied homes and similarly large gaps for rooftop solar.
  • ECA is urging mandatory disclosure of a home’s energy rating at the point of lease followed by phased minimum performance standards that would set a baseline for habitable, affordable rentals.
  • Only the ACT and Victoria have enforceable measures, with ACT compliance due by the end of 2026 and Victoria phasing in energy rental standards through March 2027.
  • The push comes as the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts warmer-than-average conditions and regulators report higher 2025 electricity prices, while polling shows 65% support for minimum standards and a preference for landlord-funded upgrades with government support.