Too many renters are living in homes that are unhealthy and unaffordable to run. Too hot in summer and too cold in winter, these poor-quality homes contribute to health issues, undermine household wellbeing and exacerbate financial difficulty and vulnerability.
Renters have no way to change this, leaving them increasingly worse off as the energy system transitions. But ambitious minimum energy efficiency rental standards (MEERS) have the potential to improve the lives of millions of people, by ensuring their homes are healthier and more affordable to live in, while also supporting emissions reduction.
That’s why we developed this detailed MEERS implementation guide for NSW, alongside national housing justice organisation Better Renting. It draws on contributions from industry and community stakeholders and brings together the latest evidence, implementation considerations and policy recommendations to support the NSW Government in their design and delivery of MEERS. By sharing this work with decision makers, community campaigns and partners, we can help progress MEERS in NSW and nationally.
Our MEERS guide covers:
- The recommended standards model;
- how to apply the model to deliver outcomes in different types of rental homes;
- a practical timeline to phase in standards, and;
- key enablers such as targeted finance and compliance frameworks.
This is an important opportunity to implement standards that are clear, practical and equitable, to ensure renters are better off in the long run.
