Renter’s Booklet
Where did the idea come from?
The development of the “Renter’s Booklet” was an initiative aimed at empowering Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) by helping them transition from detailed planning to practical action. Initial research revealed that while SECs are driven by a strong collective mission, they often face challenges such as limited volunteer capacity, gaps in technical expertise and challenges with community engagement that can hinder progress. This project aimed to bridge these gaps through a comprehensive service design approach involving discovery and persona workshops, research interviews, co-design and prototyping. This case study details the evolution of this initiative from co-design workshop to the final booklet, highlighting the design rationale, feedback, and community impact.
Renter’s Booklet Concept
Why Renters?
Renters were chosen because they represent a significant yet vulnerable group of the community that is often overlooked in sustainable energy and housing initiatives. As temporary residents without ownership rights, renters face unique challenges in making energy-efficient improvements to their homes, especially when it comes to retrofits or decarbonisation efforts that require landlord approval. Despite these barriers, renters are a key part of the community who also benefit from energy savings, improved comfort, and sustainable practices.
Renter’s Booklet
Project Overview
What is the project?
The Renter’s Booklet was driven by the co-design insights gathered during the “Climate Chats and Chips” workshop, where people who are renting shared their daily challenges and sustainable living solutions.
Renters make up a significant part of Cabra’s population, but are often overlooked in community planning and engagement. The workshop was designed specifically for them, fostering an informal, welcoming atmosphere through shared food and relaxed conversation to encourage active participation.
The aim of the booklet is to empower Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) by demonstrating how they can prototype and action projects themselves.
Drawing from the knowledge shared by renters, the booklet offers practical, accessible solutions for improving energy efficiency without large financial investments, addressing challenges such as insulation, dampness, and mould. The content in the booklet incorporates peer-reviewed, renter-sourced information, adding credibility and fosters a sense of shared experience, making it highly relatable to the target audience.
Project Approach
The booklet incorporates hand-drawn illustrations from workshop participants, scanned and integrated alongside content gathered from the co-design workshop. The information is organised into sections that offer practical, low-cost solutions for renters, focusing on improving insulation and addressing issues like dampness and mould. Sections such as "Cold Solutions" and "Mould Solutions" emphasise actionable, positive strategies, with step-by-step guides on DIY projects like creating draft excluders from old fabric and making natural mould cleaners using bicarbonate of soda.
The booklet is designed for easy replication and implementation by other Sustainable Energy Communities. To achieve this, we selected an A5 format, which can be created by folding standard A4 paper. This practical decision allows SECs to use a standard inkjet printer for production, removing the need for professional printing services or custom-sized paper, and simplifying the process. By utilising common materials, communities can quickly and affordably reproduce the booklet, empowering them to distribute valuable information independently. This approach also helps reduce paper waste, aligning with sustainability goals by efficiently using full sheets of paper.
Project Prototyping
Prototyping and Testing
Prototyping the Renters’ Booklet was a crucial step in refining its content and design to meet the needs of the target audience. The process began with drafting initial versions based on insights gathered from the co-design workshop. Two prototypes were tested in community settings, such as local sustainability events, where participants were invited to explore the booklet and engage with its content to provide feedback.
The feedback collected throughout testing helped identify what resonated with renters and what needed improvement. Participants highlighted the value of practical, easy-to-follow solutions and appreciated the approachable, hand-drawn illustrations. They also provided suggestions for content enhancements and noted that the booklet’s format encouraged note-taking and sharing.
These insights led to key adjustments in the booklet’s structure, ensuring it was accessible and practical. The prototyping phase also confirmed that the physical format was preferred over a digital version, as renters found it easier to share and use as a discussion tool within their communities. This iterative approach ensured that the final booklet was both user-friendly and impactful.
Project Impact
Throughout testing, we found that the project has fostered a greater sense of inclusion by addressing a vulnerable and often overlooked group in community energy planning.
Renters reported feeling more engaged and equipped to make meaningful changes in their homes, which supported their participation in sustainability initiatives.
Prototyping validated the preference for a physical booklet, emphasising its role as a tangible tool that could be passed along as a shared resource, thereby promoting and collaboration.
We heard from renters that they value the booklet for encouraging knowledge sharing within communities, helping build stronger social connections and combat isolation among renters.
Overall, the project has reinforced the idea that empowering individuals with practical, accessible resources can drive collective action and support sustainable practices at the community level.