Renters Make up Half of Western Sydney’s Marginal Seats

A 'sold' real estate sign is seen outside a high-rise apartment block in Sydney, Australia, on May 8, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

The vast majority of renters in New South Wales (NSW) want minimum energy-efficiency standards and easier access to solar power.

A YouGov poll published on Tuesday comes as tenants’ advocates point out 45 percent of voters in the election battleground of western Sydney are renters.

When asked if they trusted the coalition or Labor to handle housing issues, half of the polled renters in marginal western Sydney seats answered “neither” or “don’t know”.

The poll suggests more than 80 percent of renters have faced higher energy bills in the last six months and increased housing costs.

Seven in eight renters want minimum standards of energy efficiency to heat and cool their homes, while a similar share wants the government to make it easier for people living in rental properties and public housing to access solar power.

The Tenants’ Union of NSW notes Labor had pledged to end no-grounds evictions, while the coalition was committed to a “fairer renting experience”.

“Neither party has yet committed to ensuring minimum energy efficiency standards, despite the real impact that could make for renters who are struggling with the cost of living and keeping healthy at home,” chief executive Leo Patterson Ross said.

“In a key seat like Parramatta, where renters live in over 50 percent of homes, they want to see parties taking the issues very seriously.

“Given the level of concern, this could well become a ’renters’ election'.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Monday he would have more to say on rental rights before the March 25 election.

Joel Dignam, from the advocacy group Better Renting, said solar-powered and energy-efficient homes were cheaper to keep cool in summer, insulating homeowners from rising energy bills.

“For renters in substandard homes, higher power costs mean giving up cooling altogether or facing possible energy debt,” he said.

“This poll has a clear message for major parties: renters are tired of being ignored and are crying out for action to ensure decent, healthy homes.”

The election is expected to be won and lost along a ring of marginal seats in western Sydney, stretching from Winston Hills in the north to East Hills in the south.