Calls for Tighter Regulations to Protect Renters from Deadly Heat
As temperatures in Queensland soar, advocates warn that inadequate cooling in rental homes could lead to more heat-related deaths. Many renters, like Bailey Wemyss, who suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, struggle with rising temperatures, relying on expensive air conditioning to survive.
Renters are demanding stricter standards for insulation, cooling, and energy efficiency in both public and private housing.
The Energetic Communities Association is pushing for upgraded energy efficiency standards in existing properties, citing “unbearable living conditions” that have caused some residents to collapse from heat. Urban designer Silvia Tavares also stresses the need for better urban planning to reduce heat retention in cities.
While the Queensland government has made reforms to support renters, many still face challenges. There are no current energy efficiency standards for existing homes, and advocates argue that without tighter regulations, the situation will worsen.
With record-high temperatures expected this summer, the urgency for change is greater than ever.
Source abc.net