Do landlords need to do electrical safety checks?
According to the Residential Tenancies Regulation 2021, landlords or rental providers must ensure an electrical safety check of all electrical installations, appliances and fittings provided in the rental property.
The test needs to be conducted every 2 years by a licensed electrician. The landlord must also provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check, in writing, at the request of the renter.
Obligations of Landlords or Rental Providers in Victoria
In accordance with the amended Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, from March this year, landlords or rental providers have new obligations with regard to maintaining their properties. This inspection must cover all aspects of the electrical systems in the home including installations, fittings, and electrical appliances.
Electrical Safety Check
An electrical safety check must be done every 2 years. If the test has not been conducted within the last 2 years at the time the renter occupies the property, the electrical safety check must be done as soon as possible.
Electrical safety checks must be performed by licensed electrical contractors.
Before leasing the property, the landlord must ensure:
- Unsafe electrical appliances are thrown away and replaced.
- The electrical appliances provided by the landlord are safe to use, cleaned as per the manufacturer’s instructions and tested by a licensed electrician.
- The electrical wiring, power points, safety switches and fittings are in safe working condition and there is no damage to the casing or wiring.
- The landlords must also maintain records of any work carried out to prove compliance. It applies to everything - electrical, plumbing and gas work conducted at the rental property.
The record of the electrical safety check must include:
- Name and license number of the electrical contractor/electrician
- Date of the electrical safety check
- Results of the test - the test results need to be presented as per the guidelines set out in Section 2 of the AS/NZS Standard 3019 “Electrical Installations - Periodic Verification”
Smoke Alarms
Regulations made under the Building Act 1993 require smoke alarms to be installed in all residential buildings. Smoke alarms should be installed correctly and be in working condition. The smoke alarm needs to be tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions at least once every 12 months. The batteries should be replaced whenever needed. If the smoke alarm needs to be replaced or repaired, it needs to be done immediately.
Landlords should also provide the following information in writing:
- Information on operating and testing the smoke alarms in the building
- The renter’s obligation with respect to smoke alarms
- If the smoke alarm stops working, the renter must provide a written notice to the landlord
Landlords and rental providers must also conduct a gas safety check every 2 years.
At 1st Call Electrical Services, we provide tenancy electrical safety checks to help Melbourne landlords and rental providers meet their legal obligations. We will meet the legal standards utilising digital forms and record keeping so you can be assured that all the documentation is correct, in place and easy to access. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to give us a call at 1300 016 671.