For a landlord, the program works the way it does for any owner. The battery has to be CEC listed, VPP-capable on grid, installed by an accredited installer, and the STCs go to the owner, who normally assigns them to a trader or the installer for a discount.
Can a landlord claim the battery rebate on a rental property
Yes. The owner decides, signs the assignment, and receives the discount through the price they pay. The tenant’s role is access and, ideally, goodwill: the installer needs to work in the meter box area and on the roof if panels are involved. Give proper notice under the tenancy rules in your state.
Battery rebate for investment property owners
There is no rule that you must live at the premises, but there are three practical matters:
- Who benefits. If the tenant pays the power bill, the saving goes to them. A battery rarely raises rent directly, though it can add to appeal and enable a shared-benefit arrangement.
- The lock-in. The battery must stay installed until after 2030 or the end of the warranty, whichever is later, at the time of writing. A property sale does not breach it, but removal would.
- Tax. The treatment of the cost, and of any STC assignment, is a question for an accountant.
Can I claim on multiple properties
The regulator’s rule is one solar battery system eligible for STCs per premises. That means:
| Situation | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Two batteries at one address | Only the first is eligible |
| One battery at each of three properties | Each premises can claim once |
| A battery upgrade at a premises that already claimed | The additional battery is not eligible |
Each property needs its own installation record, address, photos and ownership evidence. If the properties are held by one company or trust, the owner details must match across documents.
What this means for installers
Confirm the premises has not already claimed a battery. If you are unsure, ask the owner, and check what the regulator’s registry can show. See who gets battery STCs and the STC assignment form. Where a landlord uses a different entity name from the title, record both.
What this means for landlords
Run the numbers with the battery STC calculator, talk to your tenant, and ask for tenancy-compliant access. Remember that the factor was 6.8 at the time of writing, stepping down on 1 January 2027, so timing matters for a portfolio.
Tenants should read can renters get the rebate. For more, see battery STCs, pricing or start trading.