This checklist has been designed to help you identify the sustainability elements of new and existing leasehold properties and plan for potential retrofits and improvements for the benefit of your tenants and the environment. Some actions require owner permission but should still be considered.
Under NSW law, the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, a rental property must meet certain water efficiency standards where the cost of water use is paid by the tenant. This includes the installation of water-efficient shower-heads and taps, and fixing any leaking taps on the premises. These actions are listed in bold in the checklist below.
The final page of this checklist is to be left with the tenant to provide further tips for reducing energy use, water use and waste during their time in the property.
An indication of the cost of each change has been listed. The symbols used are: FREE = No Cost $ = Under $50 $$ = Under $500 $$$ = Over $500
Address: _____________________________________________________________ Date: ________________ Inspected by: ______________________________________
CHECKLIST CRITERIA
KITCHEN
Have flow restrictors or aerators been installed on all taps?
Are any taps, especially hot water taps, dripping or leaking?
Can windows be easily opened and closed and is flyscreen installed?
Have energy-efficient lights been installed in all fittings?
Where managed by the housing provider, has an energyefficient fridge been provided?
Does the oven door seal properly?
BATHROOM(S)
Have flow restrictors or aerators been installed on all
YES/NO COMMENTS NOTES FOR AGENT DID YOU KNOW?
A water-efficient tap must have a flow rate of
9 litres per minute or less. Installing flow restrictors or aerators reduces water use while maintaining tap performance.
A fast dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres of water each year. Leaks can usually be fixed by replacing the tap washer. Leaking hot water taps can be particularly expensive for tenants so check these as a priority.
Opening windows with flyscreen can reduce the need for heating or cooling, without encouraging insects to come in the house.
Replacing a 75w standard globe with a 15w energy-efficient globe saves $10 a year.
Provide a fridge with a high energy star rating.
Running an inefficient fridge 24/7 can add significant cost to energy bills.
Close the oven door on a piece of A4 paper.
The door seal should firmly grip it. Check in several places around the door. If the paper slides easily, the seal may need replacing.
A water-efficient tap must have a flow rate of
9 litres per minute or less. Installing flow
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taps?
Are any taps, especially hot water taps, dripping or leaking?
Have water saving showerheads been installed in all showers?
Are any of the toilet cisterns leaking?
Can windows be easily opened and closed and is flyscreen installed?
Have dual flush toilets been installed throughout the property?
Have energy-efficient lights been installed in all fittings?
LAUNDRY
Have flow restrictors or aerators been installed on all taps?
Are any taps, especially hot water taps, dripping or leaking?
Have energy-efficient lights been installed in all fittings?
LIVING AREA(S) restrictors or aerators reduces water use while maintaining tap performance.
A fast dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres of water each year. Leaks can usually be fixed by replacing the tap washer. Leaking hot water taps can be particularly expensive for tenants so check these as a priority.
A water-efficient shower-head must have a
flow rate of 9 litres per minute or less. Make sure the device installed is compatible with the property's hot water system.
Check for leaks by placing 3-4 drops of food colouring into the cistern and waiting 15 minutes (without flushing) to see if it flows into the toilet bowl. If dye appears, there is a leak.
It may need a new washer, or the float arm may need to be adjusted.
Opening windows with flyscreen can reduce the need for heating or cooling, without encouraging insects to come in the house.
If not, a temporary displacement bag or cistern weight can be installed to reduce flow by up to
1.8 litres per flush. A standard single flush toilet can use up 12L per flush.
Replacing a 75w standard globe with a 15w energy-efficient globe saves $10 a year.
A water-efficient tap must have a flow rate of
9 litres per minute or less. Installing flow restrictors or aerators reduces water use while maintaining tap performance.
A fast dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres of water each year. Leaks can usually be fixed by replacing the tap washer. Leaking hot water taps can be particularly expensive for tenants so check these as a priority.
Replacing a 75w standard globe with a 15w energy-efficient globe saves $10 a year.
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Are there any obvious draughts coming through windows or doors?
Can windows be easily opened and closed and is flyscreen installed?
Have energy-efficient light bulbs been installed into all fittings?
Have energy-efficient lights been installed in all fittings?
Have curtains and pelmets or blinds been installed on all windows?
MAIN BEDROOM
Are there any obvious draughts coming through windows or doors?
Can windows be easily opened and closed and is flyscreen installed?
Have energy-efficient lights been installed in all fittings?
Have curtains and pelmets or blinds been installed on all windows?
SECONDARY BEDROOM(S)
Are there any obvious draughts coming through windows or doors?
Can windows be easily opened
Draughts can increase heating and cooling costs by up to 25 per cent. Look for obvious gaps or hold a lit match near joins to identify moving air. Seal up gaps using draught excluders, or temporary door/window seals.
Opening windows with flyscreen can reduce the need for heating or cooling, without encouraging insects to come in the house.
Replacing one 75 watt standard globe with one
15 watt energy-efficient globe saves around
$10 a year.
Replacing a 75w standard globe with a 15w energy-efficient globe saves $10 a year.
Windows are a big source of heat loss and gain. Seek permission to install lined curtains with pelmets, or close fitting Holland or Roman blinds to reduce heat gains by 15%.
Draughts can increase heating and cooling costs by up to 25 per cent. Look for obvious gaps or hold a lit match near joins to identify moving air. Seal up gaps using draught excluders, or temporary door/window seals.
Opening windows with flyscreen can reduce the need for heating or cooling, without encouraging insects to come in the house.
Replacing a 75w standard globe with a 15w energy-efficient globe saves $10 a year.
Windows are a big source of heat loss and gain. Seek permission to install lined curtains with pelmets, or close fitting Holland or Roman blinds to reduce heat gains by 15%.
Draughts can increase heating and cooling costs by up to 25 per cent. Look for obvious gaps or hold a lit match near joins to identify moving air. Seal up gaps using draught excluders, or temporary door/window seals.
Opening windows with flyscreen can reduce
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and closed and is flyscreen installed?
Have energy-efficient lights been installed in all fittings?
Have curtains and pelmets or blinds been installed on all windows?
BALCONY/PATIO/GARDEN
Is there space for tenants to grow food or herbs?
Is there an outdoor or balcony clothesline?
Are any taps dripping or leaking?
Is a compost bin or worm farm available for food scraps?
If there is a pool, has a cover or blanket been provided?
Have sensors or timers been installed on outdoor lighting?
OTHER
Is the thermostat on the storage hot water system set to
60°C?
Are recycling bins easily accessible and clearly labelled?
Have hot water pipes been insulated?
Has ceiling, floor or wall insulation been installed? the need for heating or cooling, without encouraging insects to come in the house.
Replacing a 75w standard globe with a 15w energy-efficient globe saves $10 a year.
Windows are a big source of heat loss and gain. Seek permission to install lined curtains with pelmets, or close fitting Holland or Roman blinds to reduce heat gains by 15%.
Locally grown produce saves water, energy and transport and has community benefits.
Hanging clothes to dry instead of using a dryer saves up to $320 each year. Consider installing a temporary clothes drying area.
A fast dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres of water each year. Leaks can usually be fixed by replacing the tap washer.
Consider providing a food waste management system for tenants to recycle food scraps.
Covering a pool with a cover or lower-cost blanket can reduce evaporation by 95%
Outdoor security lights add around $21 to your electricity bill each year. Install motion-sensor or timed lighting where possible.
Any higher than 60°C means energy is being used unnecessarily. Any lower causes harmful bacteria to grow. Instantaneous hot water systems should be set at 50°C.
Correct recycling of plastics, metals and paper through kerbside recycling diverts key resources from landfill. Talk with your Local
Council if bins need new stickers or replacing.
This stops unnecessary heat loss from pipes.
Purchase lagging (rubber/foam tubing) that has been cut along its length and has a selfsealing adhesive strip for easy application.
Insulation can save up to 45% on heating and cooling energy requirements. Discuss with the
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landlord whether insulation can be installed.
Aim for a thermal resistance value (R-value) of
4 for ceilings and 2.8 for walls.
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A comprehensive guide to sustainable design from the Federal Government www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html
A comprehensive list of home power saving tips from the NSW Government
A comprehensive list of sustainable living tips from City of Sydney Council
A comprehensive list of home water saving tips from Sydney Water
Information on the national Energy Rating ('stars') scheme for appliances www.savepower.nsw.gov.au/households/power-saving-tips/how-to-save-power.aspx www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Environment/LiveGreen/LiveGreenHouse/Default.asp www.sydneywater.com.au/Water4Life/InYourHome/ www.energyrating.gov.au/
Information on the national Water Rating ('stars') scheme for appliances
Information on the national Window Energy Rating Scheme www.waterrating.gov.au/ www.wers.net/
Deductions available for rental properties, including sustainability improvements www.ato.gov.au/content/00270214.htm
NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman www.ewon.com.au/
Information on improving the sustainability of common areas in strata buildings www.greenstrata.com.au/
Details of what can be recycled in any municipality in Australia www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/

We have done our best to provide a property that makes it easier to live sustainably. There are a few things you can do to help though!
How many of the below actions can you complete?
KITCHEN HEATING AND COOLING
 Make sure your fridge is running efficiently by locating it out of the sun, keeping the coils dust free, defrosting your freezer regularly, and ensuring the doors seal tightly
 Set the temperature of your fridge between 3°C and 5°C and the temperature of your freezer between -15°C and -18°C to save energy
 Put a jumper on or get a blanket before you reach for the heater
 If you do need to run the heater or cooler, try to only heat or cool the space or room you are using
 Never leave a heater or cooler running overnight or while you are out - use a timer setting or turn off before you leave or go to bed.
 When cooling, only cool your home to between 24°C and 27°C to ensure your appliance is at its most efficient.
 If you have two fridges, turn off the second fridge and only use it when needed. If you don't need it, recycle it through the NSW
Government Fridge Buyback program (www.fridgebuyback.com.au)
 Recycle your food scraps in a compost bin or worm farm to keep food waste out of landfill, and create free fertiliser for your plants.
 When heating, only heat your home to between 18°Cand 21°C to ensure your appliance is at its most efficient.
 Close blinds or curtains when heating or cooling to stop heat loss or gain through the glass
 Use a door snake to stop draughts from coming under doors
LAUNDRY
 Use portable fans not air conditioning. They cost much less to run.
 Always use the cold wash setting on your washing machine
 Use the 'eco' setting on your washing machine when possible and only wash when you have a full load of clothes.
LIGHTING
 Avoid using the dryer where ever possible - use a clothesline or clothes rack for drying.
 Turn off lights when you're not in the room
 Open curtains, blinds or external shades during the day so the sun can provide free, natural light
BATHROOM
 Take shorter showers to save water and energy - 4 - 6 minutes should be your goal!
 Always turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth or shaving
OTHER ENERGY TIPS
 Consider switching all or part of your power supply to GreenPower.
Find out more at www.greenpower.gov.au
 Use chemical-free cleaning products. Find natural cleaning recipes at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/households/EasyCleaning.htm
 Always turn appliances off at the wall. This can save, on average,
$125 each year on your energy bill.