2021-11-08
Rental properties across the territory will be required to meet a minimum standard for ceiling insulation under a proposal from the ACT Government which will help keep Canberra homes comfortable, safe and efficient. Consultation opens today on implementation details of the plan.
“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. Not only is there an economic impact, in many cases this is having a negative effect on health and wellbeing,” Minister for Energy Shane Rattenbury 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. 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.
“We have been very clear for some years now that we intend to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties, and we have consulted with the community and stakeholders throughout the process.
“We now want to further involve the community, particularly renters and rental providers, in charting the pathway to getting this new insulation standard in place. We want feedback on a range of different issues, including on the timeline for phasing in this new regulation, and how the government can help with the transition and any safety assurances along the way.
“I encourage everyone to review the proposed standard and provide your feedback over the coming weeks. We expect this standard will come into force from mid next year with a significant phase in period, so rental providers and the industry will have plenty of time to plan and upgrade their properties as needed.
“This work will complement the recent YourSay survey regarding rental reforms in the ACT, including ending no cause evictions, placing restrictions on rent bidding and setting clear minimum standards for rental properties. Together, these reforms will create fairer, safer rental system in Canberra.
“This is the first stage of implementing minimum energy performance standards for rental properties, as committed to in 2019 under the ACT Climate Change Strategy. Future stages will consider additional measures to complement the ceiling insulation requirement."
You can review and provide input to the government’s plans for a minimum standard for ceiling insulation for rental properties on the ACT Government’s YourSay website.
This initiative progresses a commitment of the Parliamentary Agreement of the 10th Legislative Assembly by the ACT Labor-Greens Government.