Since Victoria's rental minimum standards took effect, electrical safety obligations for rental providers are more specific than many landlords realise.
Rental properties must have a modern-style switchboard fitted with circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs) covering the property's circuits. Older ceramic fuse switchboards generally don't meet this standard and need upgrading.
A licensed electrician needs to inspect the property, carry out any required upgrades, and issue a compliance certificate confirming the switchboard and safety switches meet the required standard.
The standard applies before a new tenancy begins, and there were transition deadlines for existing tenancies when the rule first came in. If you're unsure whether a property has been assessed, it's worth getting it checked rather than assuming it's compliant.
Alongside switchboard compliance, rental providers must keep smoke alarms tested and working, with mandatory annual safety checks now required across all rental properties.
We carry out rental electrical safety inspections, switchboard upgrades and compliance certification for landlords and property managers across Melbourne and Sydney.