Why Electrical and Gas Safety Checks Are Essential for Victorian Homes

We all use electricity and gas every day, but sometimes we forget just how dangerous they can be if they’re not taken care of properly. As a landlord, it’s your job to make sure the electrical and gas systems in your property are safe. 

In Victoria, the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 set out specific rules regarding electrical safety checks. Among these are the mandatory checks for smoke alarms, gas systems, and electrical safety. It might sound like a lot to keep up with, but these measures are all about making sure homes are secure and up to standard for the people living in them.

According to these VIC Minimum Housing Standards, electrical and gas safety checks in Victoria must be carried out every two years by a licensed electrician. If no safety check has been performed within the last two years, you are required to arrange one as soon as possible. 

Gas and Electrical Safety Checks

These are the primary checks that are mandatory for occupied properties:

Electrical Safety Checks 

Every two years, you need a licensed electrician to check all the electrical systems on your property. This includes the wiring, switchboards, and any other electrical parts. If you haven’t had this done in the last two years, it’s time to book one right away.

The electrician will go through everything with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things like damaged wires, faulty circuits, or anything that could cause a fire or shock. If they find anything wrong, they’ll recommend repairs to fix it and make sure everything meets the latest safety standards.

It’s quite important that these checks are done by a qualified, licensed electrician who understands the standards and can accurately assess the safety of the electrical systems on your property.

Gas Safety Checks 

Just like with electricity, gas can be dangerous if it’s not looked after properly. That’s why gas safety checks are also required every two years. A licensed gasfitter will check your gas lines, appliances, and systems to make sure they’re in good working order. 

Gas leaks or faulty appliances can be incredibly dangerous and pose a significant risk of fire or poisoning, so you see why these inspections can’t be skipped at all, whether you have tenants or not.  

Why These Safety Checks are So Important

Safety checks are important for the following reasons:

Protecting Tenants

The number one reason you should care about these checks is to protect your tenants. It would be totally unfair for a tenant to live in a home with faulty wiring or a gas leak they don’t know about. The risk of something going wrong is real. 

You could be putting their safety in jeopardy, and that’s a risk no responsible landlord should take. Regular checks are the easiest way to make sure your tenants are safe. 

Staying off Legal Consequences

If you fail to conduct the required checks or maintain proper records, you could face fines of up to $10,000. This is the money that could otherwise be used to keep your property safe or invest in other improvements.

Worse yet, if something were to go wrong and a tenant was harmed due to electrical or gas issues that you neglected, you could be held liable. This might lead to even greater financial and legal ramifications, including compensation claims or criminal prosecution in extreme cases.

Keeping Your Property in Good Shape

Regular safety checks also help to maintain your property’s integrity. If there are issues with the electrical or gas systems, catching them early can save you from expensive repairs down the track. 

A small issue, if left unchecked, could turn into a much bigger problem, leading to costly damages to your property or even a complete replacement of electrical or gas systems.

Renters Might Require Proof

Once the checks are done, the electrician or gas fitter will issue a compliance certificate or report. This certificate confirms that the safety check was carried out in accordance with the required standards. 

You must keep a record of the most recent safety check for both electrical and gas systems. These records must include details about the checks performed and the tradespeople who carried them out.

These records need to be kept until the next check is done, and you must provide a copy of the most recent check to your tenants within seven days of their request.

Best Way to Find a Licensed Electrician in Victoria

Getting the right person for the job is super important, especially if you’re renting out a property and need to meet electrical safety rules. 

For starters, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is basically a trusted place where you can look up electricians who are registered and meet all the necessary qualifications. 

There’s also the Australian Government’s licensing registry, which works the same way. Both of these give you a list of people who know what they’re doing and are legally allowed to do it.

If those don’t quite work for you, there’s another good option: the Master Electricians Australia website. This is a club for electricians who are serious about their work and keep up with the latest industry standards. 

And don’t forget about asking around. Sometimes, the best recommendations come from people you know, such as friends, family and maybe even a neighbour who had a good experience with someone.

Once you find one that’s good enough for hire, you then have to ensure their license is legit. It’s really easy to do, and it’s worth every second. All you need is their license number. You can type it into the ESV website or the Australian Government’s registry to make sure it’s valid and up to date. If it is, feel free to proceed.

Also Read: House Inspections: What to Expect and How to Prepare