Australian renters could gain access to cheaper, cleaner energy under new proposals that include giving renters the right to plug in portable solar panels and batteries.
The proposed measures also include minimum energy standards to help rental properties switch to electric, mandatory energy performance disclosure in property ads, flexible finance and tax concessions for landlord upgrades, and gas bill reform so landlords pay fixed connection costs in the same way they do for water.
The proposals are being put forward by electrification advocacy group Rewiring Australia.
Chief executive Francis Vierboom said the proposals were practical cost-of-living solutions to help close a growing fairness gap in the energy system.
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“Currently we have an energy system where homeowners can slash their bills with solar, batteries and electric appliances while renters are left paying full price,” he said.
“That’s not fair or necessary, particularly because the technology already exists to fix it.”
Around three in 10 Australians rent, but most cannot install rooftop solar or batteries because they do not own their homes, leaving them unable to benefit from some of the cheapest energy available.
Under the proposals, renters would be allowed to use approved plug-in devices—including balcony solar systems, portable batteries and electric vehicle chargers—without requiring permanent changes to the property.
Vierboom said similar plug-in technologies were already widely used overseas.
“In Europe and the United States, plug-in solar is taking off because it’s simple—you can buy it, plug it in, and start saving straight away,” he said.
“Australia is falling behind because our rules haven’t kept up with what’s now possible.”
Governments are looking to extend the benefits of cheaper renewable energy to more households, including the new Solar Sharer Offer, which will provide at least three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day when solar generation is highest.
“Only 11% of rental homes have solar, compared to nearly 50% of owner-occupiers. If we’re serious about cost-of-living relief, we can’t keep ignoring them,” Vierboom said.
“This is a simple regulatory fix: update the standards, allow these devices, and make it clear landlords can’t unreasonably say no.”
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The proposals form part of Rewiring Australia’s submission to the NSW Government’s consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.
As well as reducing bills for households, the proposed changes would strengthen the energy grid by adding more distributed storage, shifting demand away from peak periods.
“This is one of those rare policies that’s good for families, good for the grid, and good for the transition,” Vierboom said.
