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Proposed new minimum energy efficiency rental home standards welcomed

Joint media release

Proposed new minimum energy efficiency rental home standards welcomed

Leading community service and advocacy groups have welcomed a new proposal for minimum energy efficiency standards in rental homes.

The Residential Tenancies (Minimum Standards) Tenancy Bill was introduced into Parliament today by the Greens’ Robert Simms MLC. This Bill contains comprehensive provisions that include:

  • minimum requirements for heating and cooling in homes;
  • minimum requirements for insulation, draught proofing, and ventilation; and
  • minimum water efficiency requirements for appliances, fixtures, and fittings.

It also would require landlords to disclose to renters whether or not the property complies with these minimum requirements, and the efficiency of appliances within the home.

These are all changes that SACOSS and other organisations have consistently called for over many years. And it is clear that this Bill incorporates feedback provided by SACOSS and prominent rental advocacy group Better Renting, along with community service provider Uniting Communities.

SACOSS notes that the most recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 by the Malinauskas Government did finally establish some minimum energy efficiency standards. However, these are limited to the efficiency ratings of appliances at the point of replacement and do not address other issues such as the thermal efficiency of the home, or even a requirement for basic heating and cooling facilities.

Quotes attributable to Dr Rebecca Tooher, Director of Policy and Advocacy, SACOSS

Inefficient homes drive up household energy costs, posing a significant challenge for low-income renters.

We are just coming out of a cold winter at the same time as being in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Renters on low incomes or in other vulnerable situations are already having to make tough decisions – they should not have to choose between keeping their rental property at a safe temperature or eating.

This Bill contains many measures we, and many other organisations, have been advocating for over many years. We welcomed the changes made with the government’s rental reforms last year, but we don’t think they go far enough to provide healthy homes for renters in South Australia.

At its heart, if adopted, this Bill would improve the quality of life of thousands of South Australians currently living in properties that are unsafe, unaffordable, and unhealthy. We are pleased to see our recommendations reflected in the drafting of this Bill.

Amongst other things, improving the energy efficiency of homes has been linked to reduced time in hospital, lower blood pressure, and fewer days off from work or school.

Healthier homes definitely mean healthier renters, and reduced strain on our struggling health system.

Quotes attributable to Bernadette Barrett, Deputy Director, Better Renting

Everyone should have a healthy home – a home that keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer. A home that provides the foundation for a good and prosperous life but for the one in three South Australians who are renting, this isn’t the case. We know rental homes have poorer energy performance and the impact that this has on the individuals and families who live in these homes is dire.

We have been working with renters in South Australia for a number of years and it has never been worse. We’re hearing from South Australian renters regularly about their forced choices between paying rent, energy costs, groceries or medication. The South Australian government has acknowledged how bad the cost of living crisis is and supporting this Bill is a clear and direct way to make things better for South Australians doing it tough.

Landlords aren’t required to take the basic steps to ensure the the properties they rent out are decent or healthy to live in and renters aren’t able to make the required changes themselves, nor should they have to. This Bill will establish basic standards, such as ceiling insulation, heating and cooling, to ensure that renters can live comfortably and safely in their homes which is what everyone should expect of their home.

Quotes attributable to Simon Schrapel, Chief Executive, Uniting Communities

A lack of minimum energy efficiency standards in rental homes across South Australia have led to homes that are too hot in summer and too cold in winter.

Chronically cold homes contribute to illnesses like asthma and cardiovascular conditions, especially for the most vulnerable people in our community. These homes also cost more to heat and cool, leading to negative environmental impacts and excessive energy bills that renters simply cannot afford in a cost-of-living crisis.

We need minimum energy efficiency standards in rental properties to ensure healthier, more sustainable, and affordable living conditions for South Australian renters.

The Residential Tenancies (Minimum Standards) Tenancy Bill provides a positive step in strengthening basic rights for those renting in South Australia. The proposals outlined in the Bill are neither onerous or unreasonable and, with landlords benefitting from both increased property values and rents, these expectations are fair and timely.

This is not an attack on landlords but a rebalancing of the relationship that will help to ensure a basic set of standards in terms of the amenities a rental property must deliver for a tenant. It will go a long way in reducing the risks experienced by too many tenants who are living in substandard properties that do not protect the health of inhabitants.

Having an efficient heater and cooler and adequate insulation is not a big ask and should become the minimum requirement for all rental properties.

Uniting Communities looks forward to both a considered community and parliamentary debate about the merits of the Bill’s provisions to help lift the standards of South Australia’s rental properties.

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08 8305 4222

sacoss@sacoss.org.au

Marjorie Black House
47 King William Road Unley SA 5061

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KELLY VINCENT

Kelly is a writer and an advocate living on Kaurna land. At age 20, they won the State Theatre’s Young Guns Award for young playwrights for Gravity. At 21, they became Australia’s youngest Member of Parliament and first-ever appointed specifically on the platform of disability rights. From 2010 to 2018, Kelly represented the Dignity Party in the Upper House of South Australia’s State Parliament, making vital changes to the way service providers, the built environment, and the justice system respond to the needs of disabled people. They are now Creative Director of True Ability, a disabled persons’ theatre company they co-founded in 2020.

CHERYL AXELBY

Cheryl is a proud Narungga Woman, living on Kaurna land, and is passionate about improving the quality of life for her people. Cheryl has extensive experience working with Aboriginal communities, and federal and state government sectors at senior and executive level in a career spanning over 43 years. Currently she is National Co-Chair of Change the Record, Head of Aboriginal Housing – Housing SA and in March 2024 she was elected as the Central Region 1 representative in the historic First Nations Voice to SA Parliament.

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

DR JEN CLEARY

Jen is a human geographer, with a background spanning social services and social policy ,vocational and higher education and regional, rural and remote research and development. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Centacare Catholic Country SA (CCCSA), a for-purpose organisation providing social services in regional, rural and remote communities in South Australia, across a footprint of some 980,000 square km. She was awarded a PhD in Geography from the University of SA in 2014. She holds an adjunct professorial position with the Centre for Social Impact at Flinders University and is a member of the Advisory Panel for the University of SA Justice and Society Arts Program.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.

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