ADVOCACY – Healthy Homes for Renters project
‘Healthy Homes for Renters’ project is attempting to build political support for minimum energy efficient standards for rental properties.
Better Renting is calling on governments to implement minimum energy efficiency standards for all rental properties across Australia.
Information and Infographics from the Healthy Homes for Renters project
Many people who rent have homes that make them sick because they are too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Renters tend to live in places that are lower-quality, so the indoor temperatures can be harmful. For example, excess cold in winter can lead to strokes or worsen asthma. Despite this, property investors are not required to take basic actions to make a rental property healthy to live in.
Ceiling Insulation Standards in the ACT
Better Renting last week shared the ACT Government announcement of a minimum standard for ceiling insulation for rental homes. The new minimum standards come into effect April next year.
“Up to 40% of the heat in a home is lost through the roof, so it makes sense that the government has decided to focus first on ceiling insulation by introducing minimum ceiling insulation requirements for rental homes beginning on 1 April 2023.”
Read more on the announcement from Better Renting.
Renter Researchers wanted!
Better Renting is looking for ‘Renter Researchers’ as a part of a citizen science project to sign up to track the temperature of their homes across winter and summer. The temperature data will be collated and used to document the impact of substandard homes on renters, getting this evidence into the media and in front of decision-makers.
Find our more information here.
Healthabit understands the important link between health and poor housing and the increasing need for better passive and mechanical temperature control in housing as our climate becomes more unpredictable and hotter for longer periods of time. This project is an important step in improving the quality of the envelope of all housing.
