Key takeaways
Whether you’re looking for a new home to rent, you’ve been renting short-term or your rental has been your home for years, there are practical ways to reduce energy bills, improve comfort and prepare for an increasingly electric future.
Before you personally invest in new appliances or energy-saving products, it's worth understanding your rights, what your rental provider may be responsible for and the changes that are coming for Victorian rental properties.
What kind of renter are you?
For renters, a smart approach to saving energy is to:
- understand the standards that apply to your rental agreement
- focus on improvements that you can control
- look for homes to move into that are already energy efficient
- work collaboratively with your rental provider on larger electric upgrades.
For tips on how to save money while you’re renting, click that tab that describes your rental situation.
When you’re looking for a property to rent, you have the most influence on what your future energy bills could look like.
For example, narrowing your search to energy-efficient rentals or trying to negotiate energy-efficiency upgrades before you sign your lease could reduce the energy you use and lower your energy bills.
Energy-efficiency inspection checklist for house hunters
What to look for
Heating and cooling: Look for:
- reverse-cycle heating and cooling – it's the most energy-efficient form of heating and cooling
- the location of heating and cooling – make sure it will heat and cool the places you’re likely to need it most, like the living area, TV room or dining room
- a fixed heater in the main living area – this is mandatory.
Hot water: Find out:
- if the hot water system is gas or electric
- if it’s been upgraded recently, or when it was last serviced
- how old the system is – look for the serial number on the manufacturer’s label. It typically includes the month and year of manufacture.
Comfort and insulation: Look for:
- well-sealed windows and doors – feel around the edges for draughts. If draughty, try negotiating a fix before you sign – or ask if you can get permission to apply weather seals or caulking to the affected areas when you move in
- window coverings – externally, look for awnings, eaves or shutters that control light and heat; internally, see if the property has curtains and blinds. (Did you know bedrooms and living areas must have curtains or blinds that close, provide privacy and block light?)
- signs of mould or damp – if a property is affected, it doesn’t comply with current standards. The rental provider must fix the problem before they rent the property.
Kitchen appliances: Ask about:
- electric appliances. Are the oven and cooktop electric?
- the age and condition of the stove
- any recent upgrades or planned upgrades to kitchen appliances.
Renewable energy: Look for rooftop solar. An increasing number of rental properties now have solar installed.
Questions to ask your rental provider
Be prepared by learning about Victoria’s current minimum standards for rental properties, and the new minimum energy efficiency standards that are coming soon.
Knowing the standards puts you in a stronger position to understand your rental provider’s obligations and to negotiate changes if you can. You could ask questions like:
- Have there been any energy-efficiency upgrades recently?
- Is there a plan to replace older appliances?
- Has the home been upgraded ahead of Victoria's new minimum energy efficiency standards?
- Which minor energy-efficiency or decorative changes do you agree I can do without your permission?
- What do I need to ask permission for if I identify minor things I’d like to change, e.g. draught proofing or putting in a veggie patch?
If you’re serious about the rental property and there are electric upgrades the landlord has agreed to, use Easy Electric SEC to get an estimate – or share the link with your real estate agent. The tool shows you estimated upgrade costs for the electric appliances you choose, which includes rebates your rental provider may be eligible for. You’ll also get an energy savings estimate.
If you need support
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides a range of information and advice services on their website to support renters. This includes renting laws.
Renters can ask for a rent assessment if they feel an increase is too high, or rental repair inspection under certain circumstances. These services are free.
Tenants Victoria
Tenants Victoria is a not-for-profit community legal centre that helps protect the rights of renters in Victoria.
Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV)
RDRV helps with disagreements about bonds, compensation, excessive rent increases and repairs. It is a specialist rental dispute resolution and case management service provided by VCAT.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
VCAT provides Victorians with a low-cost, accessible, efficient, and independent way to resolve legal disputes and review administrative decisions. You can apply about a residential tenancies dispute.
FAQs for renters
A smart plug is a device that plugs into an electricity socket and allows you to control an appliance connected to it. When you do this, it can:
- turn the device on/off remotely via an app
- schedule when the device is run
- monitor electricity usage for that device (many models offer this feature, not all)
- automatically shut your device off when it’s not needed.
To get the most out of your smart plug, use it with compatible:
- portable electric heaters
- fans and air conditioners
- entertainment systems left on standby
- home office equipment
- appliances you often forget to turn off.
If you have many devices, you might consider buying a smart power board instead (see next FAQ).
For renters, smart plugs are a low-cost investment that can raise awareness of your energy use – which could change your habits and reduce your usage.
Additionally:
- you don’t need to install anything – just plug it in
- you can take it with you when you move
- they often work with Wi-Fi and smart home devices like Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomePod.
A smart power board, also called a smart power strip, is like a smart plug, but with multiple outlets instead of just one. Simply plug it into an electric socket then connect it to compatible devices.
Depending on the model, you may be able to:
- control each outlet individually from an app
- set schedules and timers
- monitor energy use
- turn everything off with a single tap
- control devices remotely when you're away.
Example of use: Let’s imagine a TV setup that also has a soundbar, gaming console and streaming device.
Instead of each device drawing standby power 24/7, you can use your smart power board app to turn them all off overnight or when you're out.
When they apply: Rental properties must meet the minimum standards before they are advertised.
For existing rental agreements, the minimum standards apply if your agreement started:
- on or after 29 March 2021, or
- before 29 March 2021 but became a periodic (month-to-month) agreement on or after 29 March 2021.
Visit Consumer Affairs Victoria to find out all about the minimum standards for rental properties.
When they don’t apply: If your rental agreement became a periodic (month-to-month) agreement before 29 March 2021, the standards don’t apply.
Head to Consumer Affairs Victoria for information about your rights when the property does not meet minimum standards.
New minimum energy efficiency standards for residential rental properties are part of the Victorian Government's wider electrification and energy-efficiency reforms. They aim to reduce energy costs for renters and improve the comfort of rental homes across Victoria.
They come into effect in phases from 1 March 2027, and cover 6 areas:
- heating
- cooling
- hot water
- shower heads
- ceiling insulation
- draughtproofing.
Find out more about the new electrification and efficiency standards and regulations for Victorian buildings on the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action website.
Consumer Affairs Victoria lists changes that renters can make without permission, changes renters need permission for and reasons a rental provider can refuse changes.
Generally, you won’t need approval from your rental provider to:
- switch to LED lightbulbs
- use smart plugs and smart power boards
- use energy-efficient appliances, like a portable induction cooktop, a heat pump dryer or an energy-efficient fridge
- install non-permanent (removable) window film
- put up thermal curtains on existing tracks (just keep existing curtains to put back up when you leave)
- use portable fans.
You do need approval from your rental provider for structural alterations, wall-mounted fixtures and permanent installations, like:
- a fixed air conditioner
- a fixed cooking appliance
- a hot water system
- an electrical upgrade – like modifications to your switchboard
- a fixed EV charger
- a solar system.
Always check your lease agreement and seek rental provider approval if it’s required. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to ask your rental provider first.
Most rebates and discounts apply at a property level, so you don’t always need to be an owner-occupier to be eligible. Usually, though, the rental provider will buy equipment, pay for installation and claim the discount or rebate.
In some cases, you can get a rebate if you contribute as a renter, or get discounts if you buy your own energy-efficient, electric appliances and products. For example, you can:
- co-contribute to getting solar panels at home. See Solar Victoria’s solar rebates for rental properties for details
- buy eligible, energy-efficient products like clothes dryers, TVs, fridges and freezers, then apply for a Victorian Energy Upgrades discount yourself
- apply for an efficient shower head discount. See the VEU’s shower head discounts
- do some thermal DIY at home with your rental provider’s permission. For example:
- buy approved window glazing or thermally efficient window products, then apply for the discount. See the VEU’s window glazing discounts
- fix draughty gaps with weather sealing. See the VEU’s weather sealing discounts.
Eligibility conditions apply to all VEU and Solar Victoria rebates and discounts. See Victorian Energy Upgrades for an overview of the program.
Resources
Easy Electric SEC – model energy usage, get quotes, find installers near you
Latest Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts (energy.vic.gov.au)
Solar rebates for rental properties (Solar Victoria)
Cheaper Home Batteries Program (DCCEEW)
