Canberran renters call for stronger enforcement of insulation mandate
As heatwaves become more frequent and extreme, Canberrans living in some of the city's older homes are likely to struggle more than others. Low-income households and renters are increasingly opting to shut off the air conditioning to save on power costs, prompting concern that shelter from the heat could become a dividing line between the haves and the have-nots.
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TVTranscript
00:00 Keeping the heat out of your home is becoming an expensive job.
00:05 We've changed the window furnishings so we've got honeycomb blinds.
00:09 We've reconfigured the apartment, we can close off different living areas
00:12 so we'll probably close off the part that's closest to the window that gets the most sun.
00:17 All that work has reduced the need to turn on the aircon and it's starting to pay off.
00:21 When I hear some of my friends talk about their energy bills, it's not even on the same page
00:26 so I think we're saving hundreds of dollars.
00:29 Renters like Canberra mother Jessica Buckland have fewer options.
00:33 From like 11am we just keep the curtains closed to try and keep it cool, it doesn't help a lot.
00:38 To bring down energy costs for renters, the ACT now requires landlords to install
00:42 ceiling insulation in their properties.
00:45 That insulation must be in place within nine months under any new lease signed after April this year.
00:51 I renewed my lease in September and on that new lease it said the house didn't comply
00:55 and I haven't been contacted to have the insulation installed.
00:58 Local advocates say there needs to be stronger enforcement.
01:01 We do think that there's value in having some third party auditing
01:05 to actually be checking these properties and not put the burden of enforcement on renters themselves.
01:09 Joel Dignam is worried summer will soon only be enjoyed by those who can afford
01:13 to keep the aircon running all day.
01:15 Their experience of summer is blissful.
01:18 They go to the beach when they want to and then we have these other people on the other side
01:23 who are struggling to pay rent for their home and at the same time
01:26 they're struggling to live in their home in summer.
01:28 Camper temperatures are expected to climb above 30 degrees again in the coming days.
01:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]