For renters

Not all homes have a Home Energy Rating right now but Australia’s housing market is moving toward greater transparency around energy efficiency and performance. 

Property owners can organise a Home Energy Rating to share in rental listings or to inform rental property upgrades and improvements. Where available, a Home Energy Rating allows you to compare properties based on their energy efficiency, helping you better understand how efficient a home is likely to be.

You can also organise your own Home Energy Rating for a rental property you’re currently living in. The rating and supporting resources can give you tips on actions you can take to save on energy bills and improve your home’s comfort. They can also help you have a conversation with the property owner about what the home is like to live in and potential improvements.

Head to Understanding home energy rating assessments and when to get one to find out more. 

Comparing rental options

A Home Energy Rating can help you understand and compare the energy efficiency of rental options. The rating shows how comfortable the home will be to live in and what features of the home contribute most to energy costs and savings.

Sharing or disclosing a Home Energy Rating is currently voluntary in real estate listings. However, in the ACT it is mandatory to include the home’s Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) in some rental listings. Other state and territory governments are considering implementing Home Energy Rating disclosure, so keep an eye out for ratings the next time you are comparing rental options.

Living in your rental comfortably

A Home Energy Rating provides trusted guidance for your rented home. It includes practical guidance about heating and cooling, when to seal gaps, and other tips to help you save on energy bills and create a more comfortable home. 

A Home Energy Rating assessor may also help you to identify the best actions that you could take, given your rental circumstances, to improve your home’s efficiency.

Regardless of whether your property has a Home Energy Rating or not, there are things you can do to improve comfort and save on energy costs while renting.

Head to Renters | energy.gov.au for lots of great tips.