Geelong renters are facing higher energy bills after being forced to switch to electric appliances, according to a new report. The transition, driven by landlords seeking to meet energy efficiency standards, has left many tenants paying more for electricity than they did for gas.
Renters Hit Hard by Energy Shift
Tenants in Geelong are reporting significant increases in their energy costs after landlords replaced gas appliances with electric ones. The changes are part of efforts to improve property energy ratings, but renters say they are bearing the financial burden.
One renter, Sarah Thompson, said her electricity bill doubled after her landlord installed an electric hot water system and stove. "I used to pay around $150 a month for gas and electricity combined. Now it's over $300 for electricity alone," she told local media.
Call for Fairer Regulations
Advocacy groups are calling for stronger tenant protections to ensure renters are not left out of pocket when landlords make energy upgrades. "While improving energy efficiency is important, it shouldn't come at the cost of renters' hip pockets," said a spokesperson for the Tenants' Union of Victoria.
The report highlights a growing concern that renters are being disproportionately affected by the energy transition. Unlike homeowners, renters have little control over appliance choices and are often stuck with higher bills.
Landlord Perspective
Landlords argue that the switch to electric is necessary to meet minimum energy efficiency standards and reduce overall emissions. However, they acknowledge that upfront costs can be high and that tenants may face higher running costs.
"We want to do the right thing for the environment, but we need to ensure that tenants are protected from excessive costs," said a representative from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.
What Can Be Done?
The report recommends several measures to address the issue, including mandatory disclosure of energy costs for appliances, subsidies for renters to offset higher bills, and a review of energy efficiency standards to consider running costs.
It also suggests that landlords should be required to provide energy-efficient appliances that are affordable to run, not just those that meet minimum standards.
As the energy transition accelerates, advocates say it is crucial that renters are not left behind. "We need a fair and equitable transition that benefits everyone, not just property owners," the Tenants' Union spokesperson added.
