Potential tax breaks for investors who go green
An Australian welfare body has lobbied the government to introduce landlord tax incentives to urge investors to make their properties more environmentally friendly.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is calling on the government to improve energy efficiency in rental properties.
The proposal, to introduce landlord tax incentives for energy efficiency measures in rental properties, is one of six policies the body put forward in order to make energy more affordable for low income households.
ACOSS senior policy officer Andrea Pape said energy efficiency needed to be a key policy to address the impact of rising energy prices.
“ACOSS advocates an energy efficiency policy agenda, which includes direct investment in building and fixture upgrades as well as incentives to stimulate private landlord investment in energy efficiency measures,” she said.
The policy proposals were designed to improve the energy efficiency of low income households, including private rental and social housing dwellings.
“Such investment will improve affordability, climate resilience and health outcomes for current and future building occupants,” Ms Pape said.
"People on low incomes are particularly feeling the burden of rising energy prices, but they lack the capital for energy efficiency upgrades and are more likely to own inefficient appliances.
"Those in the rental market are also often unable to improve the energy efficiency of rental properties. This has resulted in a lower incidence of insulation in low income housing and tenanted properties.”
The suggestions come just over a week after The Greens party outlined their plan for more environmentally friendly rentals.