A comprehensive suite of recommendations by the Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce, formed by Western Sydney councils and Resilient Sydney, aims to address the impact of extreme heat events on businesses and residents. Among the 40 recommendations proposed is the implementation of enforceable minimum thermal standards for rental properties in New South Wales to protect tenants from suffering extreme indoor temperatures that exceed healthy living standards as defined by the World Health Organization. The Heat Smart Plan also suggests providing incentives for landlords to retrofit homes to make them cooler, acknowledging that individuals most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses often reside in rental properties with limited ability to make alterations for better indoor conditions.
The report indicates that indoor temperatures in rental properties frequently surpass recommended health standards and highlights the disparity in energy efficiency between rental homes and owner-occupied properties. Noting that rental tenants often lack the means to cover energy bills for cooling solutions, the taskforce advocates for measures like air conditioning, insulation, and effective sealing of doors and windows to not only reduce energy costs but also enhance tenants' health and well-being. With almost one million properties in New South Wales designated as rentals, representing around 32% of the state's dwellings, the taskforce underscores the necessity for specific heating and cooling requirements in rental property standards to ensure comfortable living conditions for tenants.
Individual testimonies, like that of Rosa from Petersham, Sydney, shed light on the real challenges faced by renters in dealing with extreme indoor temperatures, with some resorting to leaving their homes due to unbearable heat. The call for minimum thermal standards for rental properties receives support from individuals who have experienced discomfort and health risks due to inadequate cooling solutions. The Sweltering Cities chief executive emphasizes the need for renters to have the right to request basic alterations to make their homes more thermally efficient, such as better blinds, awnings, and insulation, to alleviate the physical and mental health impacts of extreme heat. Additionally, the Heat Smart Plan aims to educate homeowners on making cooling choices for their homes and gardens and advocates for retrofitting social housing to minimize heat stress, indicating a collective effort needed to combat the detrimental effects of heatwaves on communities.