Victoria moves to improve minimum heating and cooling standards for rentals

9 News.com.au
Jun 3, 2024

Rental properties will soon need to meet minimum heating and cooling standards under proposed new standards by the Victorian government.
The state government today announced it would begin the consultation process on expanding rental standards, which includes requirements for ceiling insulation, draught proofing, hot water efficiency and cooling.
Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said renters could save about $567 per year off their energy bills.   

The measures would extend the financial and home comfort benefits from energy-efficient appliances to renters, according to D'Ambrosio.
"These are the kinds of things that homeowners right now are taking advantage of," she said.
"Everyone deserves to live comfortably – these proposed standards will make rentals more energy efficient and cheaper to run – slashing their bills and making them more climate resilient."

Rental providers will also need to replace hot water and heating systems with energy-efficient electric appliances when their current appliance stops working.
The standards will also introduce a 3-star cooling rating for systems in the main living area, 4-star shower heads in all showers, and blind cord anchors.




REIV President Jacob Caine said rental providers have had a "significant amount" of change over past four years.
"There's a feeling of disappointment and frustration at constant changes," Caine said.
New standards will be phased in to allow rental providers time to adjust and comply, with compliance commencing from October 30, 3030 next year.

aquascoot wrote on Jun 4^th, 2024 at 5:19am:



No. It won't.

But out of interest, what do you think of landlords that don't provide heating and cooling to their tenants?

mothra wrote on Jun 4^th, 2024 at 6:57am:


Plug in a heater - plug in an air conditioner... power is supplied....

Where is the absolute obligation to provide 'heating and cooling'?  Oh - we get it - in this Labor idea.... which WILL raise costs  on renters.

What do I think of such rental owners?  Same as I think of the majority of them - a pampered and spoilt lot who have been handed unearned incomes and profits and capital increases as a matter of poor policy that was supposed to provide housing and which has failed.

So - where do governments go now?  Back to the good old houso ghettoes? Back to the building of vertical slums and drug lord turfs?

mothra wrote on Jun 4^th, 2024 at 6:57am:


I think both them and their tenants should be free to make whatever arrangements they want. The government is forcing tenants to pay for a service they should have the right to choose. It is irrational to complain about the homeless problem and in the next breath demand legislation that makes rental accommodation more expensive and takes potential houses off the market.

BTW, the proposal is about insulation, not heating or cooling.

"The Gas Substitution Roadmap is helping our state navigate the path to net zero emissions while cutting energy bills and ensuring reliability.

The Roadmap outlines how we will use

    energy efficiency
    electrification
    renewable hydrogen
    biomethane

to drive down bills and cut carbon emissions."

...

"Over 2 million Victorians use gas in their homes and businesses – more than any other state or territory"

https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorias-gas-substitution-roadma...

So make everything electric.