With temperatures plummeting at the arrival of winter, tenants of rented homes can now access a video on how to make their home more comfortable and cost effective.

The video was developed by My Home Network (MHN) Tenants Rights Working Group and the West End Resilience (WER) Energy Group following a well-received workshop on how simple changes can improve energy efficiency and reduce gas and electricity bills.

MHN spokesperson Frankie Nugent said everyone deserved an affordable, comfortable home however this was often not the case for many local residents, particularly tenants.

“The cost of housing also includes the cost of heating and cooling, and tenants often don’t have the same opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of their rental or have equitable access to affordable renewable energy or renewable energy systems,” Ms Nugent said.

“This video will offer tips on how to lower electricity and gas usage, which energy providers are best value, how to lower your bills and how to connect with renting rights and supports.”

Alistar Robertson from WER said they had previously delivered successful workshops for home-owners and now wanted to assist tenants. The video can be accessed on Dhelkaya Health’s website at https://dhelkayahealth.org.au/my-home-network/ and has been well received across the region and state. It is being played on public screens and translated into other languages to reach a wider audience.

The West End Resilience drew upon the expertise of My Home Network’s (MHN) Tenants’ Rights Working Group to create the workshop and video. MHN group members offered their first-hand experience on what it was like to live in energy inefficient rentals and how to navigate what could be complex systems of assistance for renters.

MHN spokesperson Frankie Nugent  added “”We have received positive feedback about this video. Many viewers have already reported significant savings, thanks to the simple tips on reducing electricity and gas use shared in this video. This reflects the core of our work – raising awareness of tenants’ rights among tenants, landlords, real estate agents and property developers. In addition to advocating for rental affordability, we highlight available supports and concessions that can help renters. We also provide valuable information on improving rental energy efficiency and work toward structural changes that ensure renters have equitable access to affordable renewable energy. By building awareness of energy efficiency rebates, subsidies, and other landlord incentives, we aim to ensure that tenants can live comfortably in energy-efficient homes.”

West End Resilience is a place-based community group open to anyone living on the west side of Castlemaine. They organise collective activities including social events, sharing gardening tips, house and neighbourhood projects, skills, tools and equipment sharing, collective cooking and look out for vulnerable neighbours. For more information, see westendresilience.org

My Home Network is auspiced by Dhelkaya Health and made up of passionate community members, locals with lived experience of the housing crisis, and representatives from local housing initiatives, community, and government organisations.

For more information about the My Home Network email cneilson@castlemainehealth.org.au.