If you’re feeling chilly and miserable in your rental home this winter, you’re not alone. A new report has revealed that many Australian renters are living in homes that are colder and more damp than what the World Health Organization (WHO) considers safe.
The report, released by tenant advocacy group Better Renting, tracked the temperature and humidity levels of 75 rental homes around the country from 13 June to 31 July 2022. The results were shocking: most of the homes were below 18 degrees Celsius more than 80 per cent of the time, and above 70 per cent humidity more than half of the time.
The WHO recommends 18C as a safe and well-balanced indoor temperature for cold seasons, and 40 to 60 per cent humidity as the ideal range to prevent dampness and mould. But many Australian renters are struggling to achieve these standards, due to poor insulation, draughtiness, heat loss through windows and inadequate heating systems.
The report found that the coldest and dampest rental homes were in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT. Some renters reported having to deal with mould, health issues and high energy bills due to the poor conditions of their homes.
“I feel like the cold really impacts my mental health, probably more than my physical health. I find it just really affects my mood, being cold,” said Amity, a renter in Sydney.
“We’re just constantly cleaning mould. My son’s bedroom is full of mould – black mould in the ceiling that spreads across the window, and since the floods it’s gotten worse and it’s happening in my room now,” said a renter in Shellharbour, NSW.
The report also highlighted the lack of regulation and incentives for landlords to improve the energy efficiency and insulation of their properties. Tenants can take their case to their state or territory civil and administrative tribunal, but they risk being evicted or facing rent increases if they do so.
Better Renting is calling for stronger minimum standards for rental homes, as well as subsidies and incentives for landlords to upgrade their properties. The group also urges renters to join their campaign and share their stories of living in cold and damp homes.
“Renters deserve better. They deserve homes that are healthy, comfortable and affordable,” said Joel Dignam, the founder and executive director of Better Renting.
Relevant articles:
– Australian rental homes colder and more damp than WHO safety standards, The Guardian, Mon 15 Aug 2022
– Australian homes are so cold that some are falling below the WHO’s recommended ‘safe’ temperature, ABC News, Thu 14 Jul 2022
– Australian rental properties too cold and damp, YourLifeChoices, Tue 16 Aug 2022