Here's my pet peeve: A lot of household energy-saving tips seem to be aimed at people who own their own homes. They are advised to refit their shower heads, wrap their hot water cylinders, insulate their houses, install solar heating & rainwater tanks. But what about the renters?! For those of us who are renting, it's not worth spending money on these sorts of imprtovements because we are unlikely to be in the house long enough to reap the benefits. And our landlords aren't likely to do it because there is no financial advantage for them. So what can we do?
Submitted by Lindis on 15 January 2008 16:19:57
Comments
I'm in a similar position to you, I don't my own home. I try to focus on the things that I can do. So, I try not to buy products with excess packaging, I recycle whatever I can, I time my showers and (am trying to remember to) switch off all my appliances as at the wall when I am finished with them.
Things like insulation are a bit trickier. I have a friend who bought her own lined curtains and she takes them with her when she moves flats. They're quite big, so can be tacked up or let down to fit her room. The draught-stoppers, or "snakes" are pretty easy to make too, and are a very effective way of reducing heat loss.
I think some landlords are prepared to meet people halfway. For example, a hot water cylinder wrap doesn't cost that much - about $65-$95 - you could ask if they would be prepared to split the cost. It makes their place more attractive to tenants and saves you money on power.
Submitted by Sarah on 18 January 2008 10:42:00
I am a landlord. I would certainly split the cost on improvements, for big items like solar water heating I would quite happily install the item for a marginal increase in rent. I see no problem in splitting the cost that way as I get a capital gain and the tennant saves on their power bill. I realise tennant don't stay forever but this way their contribution does reflect their tenure.
Submitted by Codecraft on 22 January 2008 11:04:59
Thanks for the tips. Sarah, the thermal curtains idea is a good one. I did the same a few years ago. My problem was that I bought curtains with a lovely turquoise stripe. Didn't look great with the brown/orange floral carpet in the next flat :P Next time I will definitely go for neutrals!
Codecraft, it's good to hear a landlord's angle on things. As a renter I would need to make sure the weekly savings (for example from a solar hot water unit) would be at least equal to the weekly increase in rent. Once I'm confident I wouldn't be financially worse off, I could approach my landlord and ask if they would provide and install the unit. I hope they are as progressive as you! :)
Thanks again for the encouragement.
Submitted by Lindis on 23 January 2008 11:38:09
Hi Sarah,
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)does have an offer for landlords to get their rental properties insulated and energy efficient. The offer is a 55% subsidy for landlords on a full house retrofit of insulation and other energy efficiency measures for any of their rental properties occupied by low-income tenants.
There are several criteria the landlord, the rental property and the tenant need to meet before the landlord can apply for the subsidy:
The property must have been built before 1978
The property should have insufficient ceiling and/or underfloor insulation
The tenant named on the tenancy agreement must be eligible for a community services card
Rent must not be raised within six months of receiving the subsidy.
The retrofits will be completed by two organisations who operate in different regions of the country so if you are eligible get your landlord apply. More information about the offer and how to apply can be found here http://www.eeca.govt.nz/residential/energywise-home-grants/new-nationwid....
EECA has conducted research that has shown 88 per cent of renters are likely to stay longer in more energy-efficient properties and 83 per cent of renters are more likely to rent homes that are energy-efficient in the first place - so there is definitely something in it for landlords too!
Submitted by EECA on 29 January 2008 16:57:42
Thanks for that tip, EECA. I think it's fantastic that people who are eligible for a Community Services Card can get grants for energy efficiency measures.
Unfortunately (fortunately?!) I don't qualify so I will need to negotiate a private deal with my landlord. I will let you all know how it goes :)
Submitted by Lindis on 5 February 2008 10:16:24
Treehugger has just produced this guide about sustainability when you are renting, http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/how-to-green-your-rental.php.
It's American but still has some good ideas.
Submitted by Amy on 4 March 2008 10:56:53
We have just discovered we are going to have to find a new home - our landlords have decided to knock down our garage and subdivide the property, building several new houses in close proximity. As a result the house we are in will lose a lot of its natural light (and warmth), its clothes line and its entire back yard - nowhere for a vege garden or a compost bin any more. Also without a garage we will have nowhere to keep our push bikes, my little motorbike or my partner's scooter. My landlords turned out to be not nearly as progressive as I had hoped!
But don't worry - they offered us $20 per week off our rent to compensate for all the above losses! Crikey!
Submitted by Lindis on 2 April 2008 14:53:19
That's a real pain :( How are you going trying to find somewhere else?
Submitted by Sarah on 9 April 2008 11:20:43
Hi there
I'm a renter too. Lately I emailed my landlord about getting the hot water cylinder wrapped. I wasn't sure how he'd react but he's said he'll consider it and asked for a quote. So good news, some landlords are pretty cool. Earlier this year he had a big tree trimmed right back on my request as it blocked the sun from my vege patch. Considering we've just smashed a window I'll wait a while to casually mention the EECA insulation subsity.
Submitted by basil on 9 April 2008 12:30:42
Ha ha Basil I'm glad to hear you're having better luck with your landlord than we are. We thought ours were good sorts too until this latest episode. :(
Sarah, we're finding it remarkably difficult to find a new home. There seems to be a huge demand for rental properties at the moment and we are really struggling to find a place we can afford that's reasonably close to work and public transport, and has even a little outdoor space (just enough for a clothes line, a worm bin and a small vege patch - surely not too much to ask?!)
So if anyone knows of a two-bedroom flat in Auckland, with a garage and a little outdoor area, for $300 - $350 per week, please let me know. I can put you in touch with a reliable professional couple with no pets, who need a new home! Thanks! :D
Submitted by Lindis on 9 April 2008 14:25:26
Good news - we just found a new place to live (signed up yesterday). They are having thermal blinds installed before we move in and seem to be very pleasant and progressive people. Hooray!
Oh and there is a clothes line and room for a vege garden, and easy walk to public transport (bus and train). A sustainable renter's paradise!
Submitted by Lindis on 22 April 2008 12:17:20
I actually choose to rent a hostel like bunk from a guy who provides a shower trailer with water saving toilets, all water sources for our showers is pumped into the trailer from clean, ground well water...for us who lease his guest house, he doesn't charge us one schilling for utilities...but I'm a cheapskate so....go green!! ;)
Submitted by tshell on 16 May 2008 10:58:28