Heating Solutions for Renters: What You Need to Know

Renting presents unique heating challenges. You can't install ducted heating, mount permanent wall heaters, or undertake the insulation upgrades that homeowners can. Yet you still need to stay warm through winter, often in older properties with poor thermal performance.

This guide offers practical heating solutions specifically for Australian renters—options that are portable, require no modifications, and can move with you to your next home.

Understanding Your Rights as a Renter

Before investing in your own heating equipment, understand what your landlord may be required to provide. Rental regulations vary by state, but generally:

• In Victoria, rental properties must meet minimum energy efficiency standards
• If a property includes a heating system, landlords must maintain it in working order
• You cannot be charged for reasonable heating use included in rent

If your rental has fixed heating that doesn't work, report it to your landlord or property manager. They're typically required to repair or replace it within a reasonable timeframe.

Best Portable Heaters for Renters

The ideal renter's heater is portable, safe to use in a rental, and good enough to take to your next home.

Oil Column Heaters

Oil column heaters are perhaps the best all-round choice for renters. They're completely portable, require only a power point, and provide excellent sustained warmth. Quality models last many years, making them a worthwhile investment even if you move frequently.

Panel Heaters with Feet

Freestanding panel heaters offer the benefits of panel heating without wall mounting. They're slim, efficient, and can be moved between rooms. Some models come with both feet for freestanding use and brackets if you later move to a property where wall mounting is possible.

Ceramic Tower Heaters

Compact and stylish, ceramic towers provide quick heat in a small footprint. They're easy to store during summer and transport when moving house.

Infrared Heaters

Portable infrared heaters are particularly useful in poorly insulated rentals. They warm you directly regardless of how much heat escapes through walls and windows.

Non-Permanent Insulation Solutions

You can't install wall insulation in a rental, but there's plenty you can do without permanent modifications.

Heavy Curtains

Thermal-lined curtains dramatically reduce heat loss through windows—the biggest weak point in most rentals. Choose curtains that extend beyond the window frame and reach the floor for maximum effect. They're your property and move with you.

Draft Stoppers

Simple door snakes and adhesive draft seals can block significant heat loss under doors and around windows. Most are removable and cause no damage.

Window Insulation Film

Clear plastic film creates an insulating air gap on windows. It's barely visible once installed, significantly reduces heat loss, and is easily removed at the end of your tenancy.

Rugs on Hard Floors

In rentals with timber or tile floors, rugs provide insulation underfoot and reduce heat loss through the floor. They're particularly effective over floor vents from subfloor spaces.

Door and Window Seals

Removable foam weatherstripping can seal gaps around poorly fitted doors and windows. Look for products specifically designed for easy removal.

Room-by-Room Heating Strategy

Living Areas

For the room where you spend most of your waking hours, invest in a quality oil column or panel heater sized appropriately for the space. Use curtains, rugs, and draft stoppers to maximise heat retention.

Bedroom

A smaller oil column or panel heater with timer function can pre-heat the room before bed and maintain gentle warmth overnight. Electric blankets provide efficient personal warmth and reduce the need for room heating.

Bathroom

A small fan heater or infrared bathroom heater provides quick warmth for short periods. Look for models with IP ratings suitable for bathroom use.

Home Office

Personal heating makes sense in a home office. A small ceramic heater at your desk uses less energy than heating the entire room.

Managing Electricity Costs

In rentals, you typically pay your own electricity. Managing heating costs is essential:

• Heat only the room you're using, not the whole property
• Set thermostats to 18-20°C maximum
• Use timers to avoid heating empty rooms
• Layer clothing before increasing heating
• Close doors between heated and unheated spaces

Working with Your Landlord

While you can't demand heating improvements, you can ask. Many landlords are willing to make improvements that benefit both parties:

• Request permission for modifications: Some landlords allow wall-mounted heaters if professionally installed
• Suggest cost-sharing: Offer to split the cost of improvements that stay with the property
• Report insulation issues: In some states, minimum efficiency standards may require improvements
• Document problems: A well-documented request is more likely to get action

When You Move

One advantage of portable heating is that your investment moves with you. When changing rentals:

• Photograph heaters in good condition as proof of ownership
• Remove any removable insulation products you've installed
• Keep receipts as proof of ownership
• Consider the heating situation when choosing your next rental

Rental Warning Signs

When inspecting a potential rental during the cold months, watch for:

• Cold walls and floors indicating poor insulation
• Visible gaps around windows and doors
• Single-glazed windows throughout
• No fixed heating or broken heating systems
• South-facing living areas with little natural light
• Dampness or mould indicating thermal bridging

A rental with good natural light, reasonable insulation, and working heating will cost less to heat than a cheaper rental with poor thermal performance.

Safety in Rentals

Standard heater safety rules apply, with some rental-specific additions:

• Check smoke alarms work—landlords must provide them
• Don't overload old electrical circuits common in older rentals
• Keep portable heaters away from curtains provided by the landlord
• Never use outdoor or gas heaters indoors unless specifically designed for indoor use

Conclusion

Renting doesn't mean suffering through cold winters. With the right portable heaters, some non-permanent insulation improvements, and smart usage practices, you can stay warm and comfortable in any rental. The key is investing in quality portable equipment that serves you well through multiple moves while making the best of each property's existing features.