{"id":91334,"date":"2025-04-11T05:14:33","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T19:44:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=91334"},"modified":"2025-04-11T11:18:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T01:48:11","slug":"greens-solar-renters-mb3158","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/greens-solar-renters-mb3158\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greens’ Solar For Renters Pledge: A Bridge Too Far?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Solar<\/p>\n

More stick than carrot could be perceived in the Greens’ proposed Renters Right To Solar pledge. It will be interesting to see how landlords react.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are seven million renters in Australia and they deserve to be able to cut their power bills and reduce their emissions, just like homeowners can,” said Greens Leader Adam Bandt<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No arguments there besides the number of renters stated – Mr. Bandt probably meant the number of Australians living<\/b> in rental homes.<\/p>\n

But that aside, what the Greens have planned to address this inequity could raise hackles among some investment property owners. According to initial details unveiled on Wednesday night, the Renters Right To Solar scheme would enable tenants to request (demand) a solar panel system up to 8kW capacity be installed at their rental properties.<\/p>\n

The Stick – Landlords Compelled To Play \u2026And Pay<\/h2>\n

Landlords would only be able to deny the tenant’s request on reasonable grounds, such as body corporate rules precluding it, engineering challenges or local electricity network constraints.<\/p>\n

A new $10 billion fund established through publicly-owned Snowy Hydro would pick up the tab for the installations – initially. The systems would be listed as Snowy Hydro assets, with a caveat placed on the property’s title. A caveat is a legal notice flagging potential purchasers\/lenders that another party claims an interest or right over the property.<\/p>\n

As well as being compelled to install solar panels, landlords would need to pay for the systems one way or another.\u00a0 Landlords could pay off the systems when they choose, but if the property is sold or ownership transferred, Snowy Hydro will be entitled to be repaid the full amount owing at that point.<\/p>\n

The interest rate charged would be the annual change in either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE), whichever is less. The Australian Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% over the twelve months to December 2024 and the AWOTE increase in 2024 was approximately 3.89%.<\/p>\n

The Renters Right To Solar scheme adds to a number of measures the Greens are taking to the election targeting the cost of living and climate crisis. The party previously announced their plans for grants and low-interest loans to help households and small businesses electrify and install solar batteries.<\/p>\n

I’m not a landlord and I love solar power – but I’m just imagining a knee-jerk reaction from some (perhaps many?) investment property owners regarding this; particularly given the Greens’ other commitments regarding negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax discount reform.<\/p>\n

There would be all sorts of questions as well, including:<\/p>\n