Renters across Sydney are being pushed to “boiling point”, with new research from Better Renting revealing widespread exposure to dangerous indoor temperatures in the city’s rental homes.
The Boiling Point report highlights how poorly insulated and energy-inefficient properties are leaving tenants vulnerable during both extreme heat and winter cold—conditions that are becoming more severe as climate pressures intensify.
Drawing on temperature tracking and renter experiences, the report found many homes regularly exceed safe limits in summer, with indoor temperatures often climbing above 25°C for long periods. In some cases, renters reported their homes becoming dangerously hot, particularly during Sydney’s increasingly frequent heatwaves.
“Everyone needs a healthy home,” said Better Renting executive director Joel Dignam. “But too many renters are stuck in properties that can’t keep them safe from extreme temperatures.”
The findings also show the problem isn’t limited to summer. In winter, indoor temperatures in rental properties frequently fall below the World Health Organisation’s recommended minimum of 18°C, exposing tenants to cold-related health risks.
For many Sydney renters, the issue is compounded by rising energy costs. Faced with high electricity bills, tenants often limit their use of air conditioning and heating, even during extreme weather.
“When your rent and your energy costs are going up, one thing people cut back on is cooling,” Dignam said. “But when you’re in a substandard home, this means suffering in excessive indoor heat.”
Renters described desperate strategies to cope, from drenching themselves in water and relying on fans to avoiding entire rooms of their homes. Sleep disruption, heat stress and worsening health conditions were commonly reported.
The report argues that the crisis is driven by systemic issues in Australia’s rental market, including weak minimum standards and a power imbalance that discourages tenants from requesting improvements.
With vacancy rates tight across Sydney, many renters fear rent increases or eviction if they complain—leaving them stuck in unsafe conditions.
Better Renting is calling for mandatory energy performance standards for rental properties, alongside stronger tenant protections. Without reform, the report warns, Sydney renters will continue to bear the brunt of rising temperatures in homes that fail to provide basic safety and comfort.
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