ThemostrecentResidentialAudiencePulsesurveyfrom realestate.com.aushowsrentershavegreaterinterestin greenupgradesthanhomebuyers
Thereportfoundthat,withweeklymedianrentsat recordhighs,thoselivinginleasedaccommodationare activelyseekingadditionalwaystosavemoney.The mainmotivationistocutregularenergybills(77per cent),reduceenvironmentalimpact(56percent)and avoidbillshock(54percent)
Rentersrankedsolarpanelsasthemosthighlyrated energy-efficientfeature,followedbyqualityinsulation, draught-proofing,cost-savinglightinganddoubleglazedwindows
CathieCrampton,LJHooker’sHeadofProperty ManagementAustraliaandNewZealand,saidsmall practicaleco-improvementscanenhanceaproperty’s appealandhelptoreduceutilitycosts
“Inacompetitivemarket,somesimplegreenchanges canhelpapropertytostandoutfromthecrowd,”she said
“Noteverytenantwillpaysignificantlyhigherrentfor energy-efficientupdates,butitmayswaythemto chooseonepropertyoveranotherifitpromiseslower runningcostsandamorecomfortablehome” Affordable,easy-to-makechangesincludeLEDlighting anddraft-proofingstripsfordoorsandwindows
Upgradingtoenergy-efficientappliances,addingceiling fansandinstallingreverse-cycleair-conditioningare alsobeneficial
Around40percentofhouseholdwatercomesfromthe bathroomRentalpropertiesinNSWmustensurethatall tapsandtoiletsareleak-freeatthestartofatenancy, andthatshowerheads,internalcold-watertapsand kitchenandbathroommixershaveawaterflowrateof9 litresperminuteToiletsmustalsohaveadual-flushwith aminimumthree-starWater-Efficiencyratingand LabellingStandards(WELS)
