One of our Policy Officers, Kayla, has been taking part in the Better Renting Summer 2021/2022 project. This citizen science project required ‘Renter Researchers’ to track temperatures and humidity levels in their homes during the summer months to help the Healthy Homes for Renters Campaign make the case for minimum thermal and energy efficiency rental property standards across Australia.

Well, the data is in and the Summer Report is being launched today. With such an unusual summer for many across Australia, the report acknowledges the compounding issues of COVID-19 home isolation, climate change-fuelled extreme weather events, and the rental crisis dampening tenants’ abilities to speak up and ask for basic repairs.

As a follow-up to the Summer Report being launched, we will be attending a strategy workshop in Sydney later this month to discuss how we can best assist the Healthy Homes for Renters campaign in its next phase – making sure the Report and its recommendations get traction in the media and various Parliament offices!