Landlords and renters may soon be able to claim the government's solar rebate scheme, in a move which central Victorian real estate agents say could work, depending on the variables.
Minister for Energy Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio said the government would expand the its solar rebate scheme to renters, while in Bendigo on Thursday.
The solar rebate scheme offers Victorians who live in their own home a 50 percent rebate on solar systems, to a value of $2225.
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Minister D'Ambrosio did not provide any details as to how the rebate scheme would be realised in rental properties.
"We're finalising the design of that part of the program, but effectively it'll be a shared benefit for the landlord and the tenant," Minister D'Ambrosio said.
"This is important of course, because we need permission from landlords to have the tenant install a solar panel generator on their roof, and so there will be a shared commitment between landlord and tenant and of course shared benefits."
The scheme is currently open to Victorians with a household income of up to $180,000, whose live in their own home, worth less than $3 million.
Heathcote agent Anita Connally said tenants would love the scheme, and landlords would likely to be interested if there was no outlay.
For some landlords, it would depend on their own finances, Mrs Connally said.
"Tenants would love it because electricity prices are a real bugbear for tenants these days," Mrs Connally said.
"If they didn't have to pay any out of pocket costs [landlords] certainly wouldn't have any issue."
Bendigo property manager Rhonda Brittain said the success of the scheme's extension to rental properties would depend on a lot of variables, including outlay for the owner.
"There's so many different variables, and it just depends again, financially how well landlords are, and whether they can afford to do it," Mrs Brittain said.
"A lot of landlords are your average Mum and Pop ... might not be able to afford that extra cost outlay."
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
