Things to ask your landlord to do
So you want to make the place you rent more sustainable. The law on rental properties can be a tad unclear on when you need to ask your landlord’s permission and when you don’t, but here are some things you should definitely ask permission for. Check out our How to approach your real estate agent or landlord section for ways to explain to your landlord that lots of these changes are actually in their financial interests.
Saving water
Got dripping taps or a leaking toilet cistern?
These are things that are easy enough to fix yourself, but landlords are legally obliged to maintain them. So if you’ve got a responsive landlord or real estate agent, you might as well ask them to get them fixed. If you’re not sure if your cistern is leaking, put some dye in the top. If it appears in the bowl without flushing, your toilet is wasting water. A toilet with a visible, constant leak can waste 96,000L of water a year!
Getting anything to do with water replaced?
If your landlord is replacing any “appliance, fitting or fixture” which uses or supplies water, they’re legally obliged to make the replacement efficient. This includes taps, showers, washing machines, dishwashers and toilets, but only where the landlord has supplied these, and only when they’re being replaced, not just repaired. If your landlord doesn’t put in an efficient replacement, they have to pay the water bill – speak to the Tenants Union for more information.
Make the most of the dual flush discount
If you’re in Melbourne, you might want to suggest to your landlord that they make the most of the heavily subsidised prices currently available for switching a single flush toilet to a dual flush one.
Heating and cooling
Get some insulation installed
Now insulation is something that you should definitely ask your landlord to do – in most cases it will cost less than $2000 and increase the value of the property by 3%. For a $400,000 property, that’s a $12,000 increase. They can even get a tax deduction. See our section on talking to your landlord or real estate agent for more.
Get a good heating system
Asking your landlord to install a decent heating system might sound like a crazy idea, but it should increase the value of the property, help them attract and keep tenants and they can even get a tax deduction for it. Check out our section on approaching your landlord or real estate agent, and our heating fact sheet for ideas on which systems are best.
Kitchen
Get your oven seals replaced
Try sticking a piece of paper between the oven and the oven door. If it slides down, your oven seals need to be relaced, so that they can keep the heat in when you’re baking and save on energy. Your landlord is obliged to “ensure that the rented premises are maintained in good repair”, which means that if they own the oven, you can ask them to replace the seals.
Lighting
Get some downlight covers
If you have insulation and downlights, you need downlight covers. Downlights get really hot, so next to insulation and without covers they’re a fire hazard. The other option is leaving gaps around them in the insulation, but this lets the warmth of your home out through the gaps, and can also create problems if anyone goes up into your roof and moves the insulation batts around, for example tradespeople, who’ve been known to shove batts out of the way while they’re working. If you’re not sure if you already have downlight covers or insulation, stick your head through your manhole and have a look. If you need to climb into the roof, be careful! Turn the mains power off first in case there is any dodgy wiring, wear a dust mask, and only stand on the joists - it’s a much better idea than falling through the ceiling!
Sustainability information for landlords
Things you can do right now - no need to talk to your landlord first
Super cheap (and not quite so cheap) things to buy
How to approach your real estate agent or landlord
Sustainable renting and the law
