9.2 Landlords and property managers: your guide

9.2 Landlords and property managers: your guide

Your tenant may ask you about Home Energy Saver, or you may be wondering what's in it for your property. Here's what the program means for you, and where things currently stand.

What we can tell you now

  • Your tenant may be eligible. Tenants named on the residential tenancy agreement who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for a discount of up to $4,000 towards energy saving upgrades for the home they rent from you. As the products become part of your property, you pay the contribution, not your tenant. The deposit is $200 or 10% of the amount above the discount and other incentives, whichever is greater. You pay the deposit when your tenant's application has been approved, before the electrical and safety assessment. You pay the remaining balance above the discount and other incentives once the quote is confirmed. Read: Who can apply.
  • Nothing is installed without your approval. If your tenant applies for a Home Energy Saver discount, you'll be asked to review and countersign the Customer Landlord Discount Agreement before any installation can proceed. The agreement confirms: You own the property and consent to the proposed upgrades. Any relevant strata or embedded network requirements have been declared. You understand who will own the installed equipment. You are responsible for any contribution in addition to the discount, including the minimum contribution which is at least $200. We'll contact you by email as part of the approval process. Read: If you're renting: your landlord's approval.
  • Qualified installation. Products are carried out by Approved Suppliers through Forge Solutions, which manages the installation. Read: Who is involved.
  • The upside for the property. Energy saving upgrades can make a property cheaper to run and more comfortable, which can benefit the property long term.

If you manage properties

Property managers and agents can share this guide with owners when a tenant raises the program. The landlord must give consent, sign the agreement and make the payment themselves. A property manager or agent cannot do this on the owner's behalf.

Approvals and payments

WhatWhenWho signs or pays
Customer Landlord Discount AgreementEnd of the online applicationYou and your tenant
Deposit: $200 or 10% of the amount above the discount, whichever is greaterEnd of the application, before the assessmentYou
Installation variation approvalAfter the assessment, if the job changesYou and your tenant
Remaining BalanceAfter the assessment, at the QuoteYou
Customer Installation AgreementAfter quote accepted and remaining balance paidYou

Frequently asked questions

Does this cost me anything?

Yes. On the tenant path you pay the contribution, because the products become part of your property and stay with it. You pay the deposit at the end of your tenant's application, which is $200 or 10% of the amount above the discount, whichever is greater, and the remaining balance once the quote is confirmed. Your tenant is not asked to pay it.

Can I get products for a property I don't live in?

Not in your own right. You can take part as a homeowner for the home you live in, for one property only. For a property you rent out, your tenant applies and you give your consent and pay the contribution. You may also be eligible for a Home Energy Saver loan. If your project costs more than the maximum discount of $4,000, you can apply for a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000. Loan terms vary between finance providers, so you can compare each provider's terms before you apply. See Eligibility for landlords.

My tenant has asked for my consent. What exactly am I agreeing to?

Your tenant is asking for your consent to take part in the Home Energy Saver discount program and upgrade the home they rent from you. Because the products are installed in your property, you will own them, and they stay with the property after your tenant leaves. You give your consent by signing the Customer Landlord Discount Agreement at the end of your tenant's online application. If the job changes after the assessment, we'll also ask you to approve the variation. Nothing is installed without your approval. For full details, read the Landlord information pack on our website.