Electrical Safety Check Rental Tenancies Vic Update
In accordance with the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 S.R. No. 3/2021 from 29 March this year (2021) Landlords have new obligations in regard to the maintenance of their properties.
In addition to the annual smoke alarm maintenance check the rental provider must now also ensure an electrical safety check of all electrical installations, appliances and fittings provided by a rental provider in the rented premises is conducted every 2 years.
The safety check must be conducted by a licensed or registered electrician and the landlord must provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check, in writing, on request of the renter.
The regulation stipulates as a minimum the testing must follow the guidelines set out in section 4 of the AS/NZS standard 3019 “Electrical installations-Periodic verification” and 1st Call’s testing procedure is based on this with results being verified against the electrical standards and several other standards in regards to safety switches, dishwashers, general appliances and the building code. (As also stipulated by the new Regulation.)
The records of the test have to be presented as per the guidelines set out in section 2 of the AS/NZS standard 3019 “Electrical installations-Periodic verification” and 1st Call Electrical will meet these standards utilising digital forms and record-keeping so you can be assured that all the documentation is correct, in place and easy to access.
Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 S.R. No. 3/2021
PART C - SAFETY-RELATED ACTIVITIES
14. Electrical safety checks
- (a) The rental provider must ensure an electrical safety check of all electrical installations, appliances and fittings provided by a rental provider in the rented premises is conducted every 2 years by a licensed or registered electrician and must provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check, in writing, on request of the renter.
- (b) If an electrical safety check of the rented premises has not been conducted within the last 2 years at the time the renter occupies the premises, the rental provider must arrange an electrical safety check as soon as practicable.
An electrical safety check needs to have been carried out for all new rental agreements signed on or after 29 March 2021 or a fixed term agreement of more than 5 years which rolls over to a periodic tenancy agreement at or after this date.
If an electrical safety check has not been carried out in the past 2 years when the renter occupies the premises the electrical safety check needs to be carried out as soon as practicable.
Any electrical issues which are identified during the electrical safety check which make the property unsafe must be repaired by a registered electrical contractor.
Book a Landlord Electrical Safety Check today
Don't wait to get an electrical safety check carried out on your rental property book a check-in with one of our licenced Melbourne electricians at 1300 016 671 or complete our quick online electrician booking request today.
References:
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/changes-to-renting-laws/resources-for-practitioners/rental-providers-gas-and-electricity-safety-checks
https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-01/21-003sra%20authorised.pdf