Reducing Emissions.
Adressing the housing crisis
Better Homes & Carbon is an initiative of Green Energy Trading to transform rental properties into happy, healthy, energy efficient homes, for landlords or tenants
Everyone
deserves
a happy,
healthy
home
We’re on a mission to make sure rental homes don’t miss out.
Energy Efficiency
Scorecard
Save money in your rental home by discovering the best ways to save energy with the National Residential Scorecard
Ready to make your rental
more energy-efficient?
Addressing Energy Efficiency in Rental Homes: Our Latest Report
We released the final report for Better Homes & Carbon, highlighting critical challenges in the rental market and provides actionable recommendations, such as tying tax benefits to energy ratings and introducing new incentives for energy upgrades.
This research sheds light on the pressing need for policy reform to address the dual challenges of the climate and housing crises. Discover the full findings and explore the proposed path forward by accessing the report here.
Policy Recomendations - Federal Goverment
Negative Gearing
We propose restricting negative gearing benefits to properties that meet a minimum NatHERS energy rating of 5 stars.
This policy would be phased in over time, with a requirement to meet a 5-star rating whin 2 years, gradually increasing over time.
Tax Write-offs
We propose the reintroduction of the Temporary Full Expensing.
For landlords carrying out energy efficiency improvements on residential rental properties (up to $20,000.00 p.a.)
Capital Gains Discount
We propose that a property must have a NAtHER energy rating of 5 stars or higher at the time of sale to qualify for a capital gains discount of up to 50%
This policy would be brought in within the next 1 or 2 years, with the star rating requirement increasing over time.
Household Energy Upgrades Fund
We advise that programs that use incentives alone to drive energy efficiency upgrades are not enough.
Landlords tend not to engage with programs.
Policy Recomendations - State Goverment
Minimum Rental Standards
We welcome the plan to update the minimum rental standards to include ceiling insulation, draught-sealing, hot water, heating and cooling.
However, the recent annoucenementt of blind cord safety standards and heating in rooming houses seems to indicate that the remaining standards will be pushed forward.
Victorian Energy Upgrades Program
We propose a multi-upgrade deep retrofit activity.
This would follow the commercial project activity model, where baseline energy usage is measured, upgrades are implemented, and post-upgrade usage is assessed.
Energy Bill Relief
We propose a more sustainable approach.
Directing these funds towards direct energy-efficiency upgrades for households with concession cards.
Mandatory Disclosure
We welcome the upcoming legislation of mandatory disclosure of residential energy-efficiency at the point of sale.
We regret that mandatory disclosure of residential energy-efficiency at point-of-lease is unlikely to be included.
Land Tax
State Goverment could provide land tax relief.
Focused solely on dwellings that meet a 5-star energy rating.
Priority Target
We recommend DEECA implement Priority Targets in the VEU akin to those implemented in South Australia and the ACT.
Retailers can provide services and support to priority households.