Multi-family rental properties required to complete an Energy Audit. (Austin: apartments, tenants)

[CptnRn]

I just read this in the Austin Tenant's Council newsletter Fall, 2011 available here: Austin Tenants’ Council/Housing Rights Advocate

Last April the Austin City Council amended an ordinance which required that all multi-family properties in Austin complete and energy audit by June 1, 2011. All properties are required to prominently display the results of the energy audits in a common area where they are available to current and prospective tenants.
The audits are required to disclose:

1. Average leakage in duct systems.
2. Attic or Roof insulation.
3. Existence of solar screens or window film.

The article goes on to say: "Austin Energy has proposed that at the time a prospective tenant is given a rental application, the landlord must also provide written notice of the property’s average energy usage per square foot." A copy must be posted at the property and provided to current and prospective residents. The proposed rules will take effect in November 2011."

Comment: their use of the word proposed is confusing to me. I did not find any clarification of that on the City website.

Here is a link to the ordinance information. For Owners of Multifamily Property Part of it reads:

After receiving an energy audit report, Austin Energy notifies the owners of high energy-use properties. Within 18 months of receiving the notice, owners must make energy-efficiency improvements to bring the property within 120% of average, If the energy reduction requirements are met and energy use is still over 150%, properties must disclose to current and prospective residents that their electric bill will be%(the percentage over 150 for that property) of the average electric bill.

Enforcement
Non-compliance with the ECAD ordinance, Austin City Code, Chapter 6-7, is a Class C misdemeanor. Customers may report violations to the City of Austin Municipal Courts for review and action.

[chuck_steak]

this is probably why rents have gone up so much this year.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by chuck_steak

this is probably why rents have gone up so much this year.

Not likely. Rental occupancies are at an all time high. So many people keep moving to Austin, while construction of new housing is way down and construction of new apartments are lagging behind.

Supply and demand...

These energy audits are a good thing. You could possibly move into an apartment with a higher monthly rate, but still save money over the term of the lease on lower utility bills. As always, it pays to shop around.