Four out of every ten Canberra rental properties have the lowest-possible energy efficiency rating of zero, according to a new report.

The report by new renter organisation Better Renting compared advertised Energy Efficiency Ratings for properties for sale and for rent through January and February. It found that 43 per cent of rated rental properties had a rating of 0, compared with just 4 per cent of properties for sale.

Better Renting conducted the analysis as part of their Comfy Homes campaign for minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties.

“Canberra renters are being left to suffer in the worst properties on the market,” said Better Renting director Joel Dignam.

“This report shows that almost half of renters are living in glorified tents that do virtually nothing to keep inhabitants safe and comfortable through summer and winter. This means higher power bills, worse health, and avoidable climate pollution.”

Energy efficiency ratings are based upon building construction and layout and indicate how much energy is required to keep a property at a comfortable temperature throughout the year.

Joel said the report drives home the need for Government action.

“It’s clear that landlords are not acting themselves to make rental properties energy efficient,” he said.

“Queensland has updated its Residential Tenancies Act to allow minimum energy efficiency standards, and New Zealand requires landlords to install ceiling insulation, but in the ACT, renters are being left out in the cold.

“The ACT Government needs to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties to address this problem.”

The current Parliamentary Agreement between Labor and the Greens includes energy efficiency for rental properties as a key priority.