Canberra renters are to have their say on rental property insulation standards, with the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate opening consultation on a proposed minimum standard.
Announced by Minister for Energy, Shane Rattenbury, the Directorate’s consultation paper Minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes in the ACT proposes a minimum standard on ceiling insulation to help keep homes comfortable, safe and efficient.
“Everyone deserves to live in a home that is comfortable and energy efficient, but due to poor energy efficiency in our buildings, many Canberrans are living in homes that are expensive to heat in winter and cool in summer,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Not only is there an economic impact, in many cases this is having a negative effect on health and wellbeing,” he said.
“Rental properties that are not energy efficient lead to higher energy bills and sometimes dangerously cold or hot homes for the people that call them home.”
The Minister said the Directorate particularly wanted the hear from renters and rental providers on a range of different issues, including the timeline for phasing in the new regulation and how Government could help with the transition.
“It is often the case that those with the least capacity to pay have no choice but to live in properties that are the most expensive to heat and cool – this is inequitable, and this new minimum standard will help address this issue,” he said.
Mr Rattenbury said consultation was open until 19 December and the standard was expected to come into force from mid next year, “with a significant phase-in period”.
The Directorate’s 23-page Consultation Paper, including information on how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
