Right now, many South Australians renting privately are facing another tough summer: homes that are too hot, too cold, unsafe, or too expensive to cool or heat. The Residential Tenancies (Minimum Standards) Amendment Bill 2024 would set clear minimum standards for heating, cooling, insulation, ventilation, and energy efficiency to make rental homes safe, healthy, and affordable—but it’s at risk of being voted down this week.

The Select Committee recently handed down a report that, despite supporting minimum standards, recommended the Bill not proceed. We spoke to the committee, and others put in their evidence:

SACOSS calls the legislation “necessary structural intervention to correct the systemic failure of the rental market,” protecting renters from energy hardship, poor health, and inequality.

Green Building Council Australia says minimum standards are “critical for health and affordable living” while contributing to decarbonisation.

Child and Family Focus SA highlights that families escaping domestic violence need secure, well-maintained housing for stability, safety, and child wellbeing.

Energy Consumers Australia points out renters often live in cold, damp, expensive homes and have little control over improvements—this Bill addresses that imbalance.

InDaily’s Charlie Gilchrist gives us more information and writes “South Australian renters could win greater protection over shivering through chilly winters or sweltering through hot summers if a new bill wins support in parliament today.” (Vote has been delayed.)

Better Renting writes, this Bill is an important opportunity to offer a practical, evidence-based way to lift housing quality and reduce energy costs for renters, while improving the resilience of the entire housing system.

We’ve put together a joint statement calling on MPs to support the bill and make sure renters have homes that are safe, healthy, and affordable to run. If your organisation wants to sign on to this statement, please fill in this form.

This is about more than comfort – it’s about health, safety, and fairness. Let’s make sure every renter in South Australia has a home they can live in safely, affordably, and comfortably.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you’re renting privately, and your home doesn’t have working heating or cooling, or is hard to keep at a safe temperature, your experience matters. We’d love to hear your perspective, and you can Share Your Story here.

If you have time to write to, or ring your MP or the Legislative Council, their details are available here: SA Parliament Members Home

If you need to find your electorate, use this website: https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/map

For Media enquiries, please contact Samantha on 08 8451 1589 or email info@apnsa.org.

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