Learn about options, benefits and rebates for solar on rental properties.
For the 50% of Yarra residents who rent, there are now options available to help tenants and rental providers share the costs and benefits of solar.
Rental providers can benefit from increased property value, while tenants save on energy costs.
Amaryll, a landlord in Clifton Hill, is helping her tenants save by installing solar on her rental property, while helping support the local renewable industry.
Yarra Council subsidies
The Yarra Home Energy Upgrades pilot program provides subsidies up to $3,000 for solar and other energy upgrades to eligible Yarra concession card holders, for a limited time. This includes renters and community housing residents with an eligible concession card.
Solar Victoria rebates
Contact Solar Savers for free advice and a trustworthy quote for quality, affordable solar for rental properties.
You may be eligible for a Victorian government solar rebate of up to $1,400, and a no-interest loan up to the same value. Eligibility criteria for tenants are similar to those for homeowners.
After the rebate, the rental provider pays the remaining cost of the solar system. The rental provider and tenant sign an agreement.
The tenant uses the solar electricity and receives the feed-in-tariff for any excess electricity.
Tenants and rental providers can also choose an agreement where the tenant contributes to the cost of the solar system in exchange for energy bill savings.
The Solar Victoria rebate for rental properties allows rental providers to improve their property values, reduce the environmental impact of their investment property, and potentially attract or retain tenants, who will benefit from bill savings. Rental providers should ensure they have confirmation of eligibility for a rebate before signing a contract or paying a deposit for a quote.
For more information visit Solar Victoria rebates for rental properties.
There is a special stream of Solar Victoria rebates reserved for community housing providers. If you live in community housing, talk to your housing provider about accessing the Solar Victoria rebates for community housing providers.
For rental properties that are not eligible for a Solar Victoria rebate, another option is for both the rental provider and tenant to equitably contribute to the cost of the solar system.
A solar savings calculator such as the Victorian Energy Compare Solar Savings Calculator can help to determine a fair contribution from rental providers and tenants, based on energy savings tenants will see from the solar system.
The tool calculates the estimated bill savings for the tenant based on the solar system size and energy usage. Rental providers and tenants could negotiate a tenant contribution that is less than the bill savings.
There are rules governing how often and for what reasons rent can increase, and these may affect repayment agreements between rental providers and tenants. These rules are specified in the Residential Tenancies Act.
When negotiating any changes to rent or agreements outside of the Victorian government’s Solar Victoria scheme, make sure they comply with regulations, and seek independent advice as needed.
Tenants Victoria provides information and advice to renters, and Consumer Affairs Victoria has more information about renting and associated regulations.
You can choose renewable energy through your retailer by buying GreenPower, even if you can't yet get solar on your roof.
When you choose 100% GreenPower from your electricity company, every megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity that you use is matched by a MWh of renewable energy supplied to the Victorian electricity network.
Find out more about buying certified GreenPower.
There are a number of new ways to buy renewable energy that are just starting to become available. Solar gardens and other ‘offsite solar’ solutions, software platforms offering energy trading and sharing, and investing in community energy projects are some options that offer promising solutions to renters.
Many of these solutions are now in trial or pilot phases, or limited in availability, but may become more widely available as the technology advances and regulations change.
Talk to your rental provider about the environmental and financial benefits of solar.
Are they aware of the Solar Victoria rebate for rental properties?
Would you be willing to contribute an amount less than your bill savings toward the cost of a solar system?
Write to them and let them know.
Guides such as Renew’s Renters’ Guide to Living Sustainably have information for renters on making your rental home more comfortable and energy efficient, saving money on energy bills, and talking to your landlord about making improvements, including going solar.