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As Parliament returns, Detector Inspector is calling on the newest Minister for Consumer Affairs and Renters, Tim Richardson and the Labor Government to commit to an accreditation and auditing scheme with a clear roadmap for implementation.

10 September 2026

Five Labor party politicians have moved through the Consumer Affairs portfolio in just three years. In 2026 alone, there have been three different Consumer Affairs Ministers, and it is only September. That’s one every three months.

This lack of attention potentially threatens two million renters. Increased requirements for mandatory safety checks, introduced in 2021, have not been met with adequate oversight, compliance, or enforcement by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

This issue has a simple solution, that renters deserve to have enacted, a self-funded accreditation program for rental safety checks.

This was proposed to the government, by Detector Inspector, in 2025.

Detector Inspector’s 2025–26 data found that 63.6 percent of fully inspected rental properties in Victoria had an urgent or safety-related risk, including gas leaks, electrical faults and broken smoke alarms.

Rushed jobs and unqualified inspectors are leaving behind ticking time bombs in renters’ homes. Further evidence published by the Labor-funded McKell Institute has reinforced significant safety concerns in rental properties across Victoria.

Five Consumer Affairs Ministers, yet still no meaningful action. Some offered assurances. Some did not respond at all.

“Every time the revolving door turns in the Government, we are sent back to the beginning,” said Jordan Kagan Gescheit, Executive Director at Detector Inspector.

“How many times do we need to explain that millions of Victorians are at risk before somebody in this Government takes responsibility for reform?

“What has been missing is any real ownership or follow-through,” said Mr Kagan Gescheit.

As Parliament returns, Detector Inspector is calling on the newest Minister for Consumer Affairs and Renters, Tim Richardson and the Labor Government to commit to an accreditation and auditing scheme with a clear roadmap for implementation.

The roadmap is designed to build continuity across the portfolio, so this work does not disappear with the next, inevitable reshuffle.

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Rika Rufina
E: rrufina@wrights.com.au
M: +61 406 151 340


About Detector Inspector
Detector Inspector is one of Australia’s leading providers of residential safety services, conducting millions of smoke, gas and electrical safety checks and other essential services over its 20-year history right across Australia. Founded in Melbourne, the company partners with property managers, landlords, and community housing providers to deliver safer homes for renters while simplifying compliance with evolving regulations. Learn more about Detector Inspector here.

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While you’re here

News
National Property Managers Day 2026
09 April 2026
News
How Detector Inspector is responding to rental reforms – Jordan Kagan Gescheit on REB Podcast
25 November 2025
News
New safety standards for corded blinds in Victoria
13 November 2025
National Property Managers Day on 24th July 2026 marks the date to recognise the role property managers play in supporting landlords and tenants and their important contribution to making homes safe.

Property managers face the constant challenge of balancing the needs of agencies, owners, and tenants, all while staying on top of evolving legislation and regulations. With so much on their plate, we want to pause, acknowledge their efforts, and say a heartfelt thank you.

One challenge that often goes unrecognised is the complexity of managing safety and compliance across rental portfolios. We applaud the property managers who champion safety—ensuring homes across Australia are safe for tenants and owners alike.

For the past four years, we’ve joined the industry in celebrating hundreds of outstanding property managers from across the country.

We’re fortunate to work alongside these compliance champions every day in our shared mission to make homes safer. In the lead-up to National Property Managers Day, we invite everyone to join us in recognising and appreciating the vital work they do.

Thank you, property managers!

Safety & compliance champions wall of fame

Be sure to follow Detector Inspector on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to join in on the conversation with #nationalpropertymanagersday!

We will be showcasing safety and compliance champions on the wall of fame across these channels weekly and would love for you to join us!

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Detector Inspector Managing Director Jordan Kagan Gescheit recently joined REB to discuss a wide range of topics, including the newly introduced Victorian rental reforms. Listen to the full podcast below.

Tune in as Jordan sits down with REB Editor Liam Garman on the Business Empowerment Showcase Podcast to explore how Detector Inspector is navigating complex compliance obligations across Australia. Jordan delves into DI’s latest technology innovation, Properly, designed specifically to help agencies confidently meet the November 2025 Victorian rental reforms.

Properly is just one example of the many recent technological advancements that Detector Inspector has proudly developed to enhance its comprehensive compliance platform. Jordan shares insights on how these innovations are streamlining processes and empowering agencies nationwide.

Jordan also discusses DI's recent expansion into Western Australia, sharing his impressions of the real estate market there, the warm welcome from agencies, and the exciting outlook for the business in 2026 and beyond.

Please find links to the full podcast below:

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amendments to the minimum standards introduced by the Victorian Government now mandate the use of safety anchors on all corded blinds in rental properties. This requirement applies to blinds installed at any time and takes effect from 1 December 2025.

Key information
  • Mandatory safety anchors: All corded internal window coverings in residential rental properties must have an anchor installed to secure or tension the cords, preventing them from forming a loose loop from 1 December 2025.
  • Closing the compliance gap: Previously, corded window coverings installed before 2010 were not required to meet updated safety regulations.
  • Injury statistics: Between 2010 and 2020, the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit recorded 26 emergency department presentations due to injuries caused by blind cords. Two fatal accidents have occurred in Victoria, with an additional two deaths reported nationally over the past decade.
Why the change?

The regulatory update follows a coroner’s recommendation after the death of three-year-old Lincoln Shearer in 2020. Lincoln’s grandmother, Kerrie Shearer, became a fierce advocate for change after her grandson accidentally became entangled in a blind cord while playing on a windowsill at home.

Working alongside Kidsafe, Kerrie campaigned to close the legal loophole that allowed unsafe blinds to remain in rental properties, pushing for what she hopes will be known as Lincoln’s Law.

"Any looped or hanging cords are a danger to children, so they need to be affixed to the wall," she said.

Legislative context

As part of the Residential Tenancies and Residential Tenancies (Rooming House Standards) Amendment (Minimum Energy Efficiency and Safety Standards) Regulations 2024, the installation of safety anchors for corded internal window coverings will become a minimum safety standard under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, effective 1 December 2025.

Achieve compliance and protect your tenants with Detector Inspector

Detector Inspector offers a corded blind safety service as a simple add on to existing services at your property. For $25+GST, rest easy knowing your tenants are safe and you are compliant. You can learn more about our corded blind safety service here.

Secure peace of mind with a corded blind service add-on. Get in touch with one of our friendly team members today.
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A landmark McKell Institute report reveals loopholes in Victoria’s rental safety system. Drawing on Detector Inspector’s data, it shows how weak oversight impacts tenants, landlords, and property managers alike — leaving everyone exposed. The report calls for urgent reforms to deliver safety, transparency, and accountability.

1 October 2025

The McKell Institute has released a landmark report revealing serious gaps in Victoria’s rental safety framework, which has been welcomed by the biggest home safety service provider, Detector Inspector.

The report calls for urgent reforms to protect tenants and ensure landlords receive the services they pay for.

While Victoria leads the nation with mandatory annual smoke alarm testing and gas and electrical safety checks every 2-years, weak oversight and fragmented regulation allow unsafe practices to persist. Unqualified operators are profiting by cutting corners, while renters are left in the dark about the quality of inspections.

Jordan Kagan Gescheit, Executive Director and co-founder of Detector Inspector, welcomed the report as a vital contribution to public safety.

“The McKell Institute has provided exactly the kind of evidence-based analysis we need. These are practical solutions that will give renters peace of mind, ensure landlords get value for money, and create a level playing field for providers committed to doing the job properly,” said Jordan.

“Victoria has set the highest compliance standards for rental properties in Australia, but the lack of auditing, accreditation and clear accountability means tenants are still being exposed to risk. The report’s recommendations offer a roadmap to close loopholes, improve transparency, and ensure safety checks deliver on their intent.”

The report recommends establishing a central rental registry, accrediting and auditing safety check providers, mandating that tenants receive completed reports with new leases, and extending gas and electrical checks to all rental properties.

Jordan Kagan Gescheit said, Detector Inspector stood with the McKell Institute in calling for government to act.

“Stronger oversight and accreditation will stop unsafe shortcuts and guarantee that reforms genuinely protect Victorian renters,” Jordan said.

The McKell Institute and Detector Inspector urge policymakers to act swiftly on the report’s recommendations to strengthen Victoria’s safety checks and close the loopholes that allow poor practice to slip through.

These reforms aim to give Victorian tenants greater confidence that their homes meet safety standards and encourage compliance among service providers.

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Rika Rufina
E: rrufina@wrights.com.au
M: +61 406 151 340


About the McKell Institute
The McKell Institute is an independent, not-for-profit public policy institute dedicated to developing practical solutions to contemporary challenges. With offices in Victoria and across Australia, the Institute conducts rigorous research and engages with policymakers, industry, and the community to advance ideas that deliver fairer, more sustainable outcomes.

About Detector Inspector
Detector Inspector is one of Australia’s leading providers of residential safety services, conducting millions of smoke, gas and electrical safety checks and other essential services over its 20-year history right across Australia. Founded in Melbourne, the company partners with property managers, landlords, and community housing providers to deliver safer homes for renters while simplifying compliance with evolving regulations. Learn more about Detector Inspector here.

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Detector Inspector has officially expanded into Western Australia, marking the next stage of its national growth.

The move brings the company’s safety and compliance services to WA for the first time, joining established operations in Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia.

The expansion follows sustained demand from key agency partners. Co-Founder and Executive Director Jordan Kagan Gescheit described the move as a natural next step for the business.

“When Jason and I founded Detector Inspector, we had a vision of becoming a truly national provider. Our purpose - creating safer homes - has guided us every step of the way. Now, two decades later, I’m proud to announce our expansion into Western Australia. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our clients have placed in us. Together, they’ve made this growth possible.”

Jordan Kagan Gescheit - Co-Founder and Executive Director

Detector Inspector is offering WA clients bundled smoke alarm and RCD service for $139, together with discounted on-site replacements for faulty RCDs representing great value for owners.

Unlike local tradespeople or other compliance providers, Detector Inspector offers an end-to-end solution that combines both compliance services and a compliance management platform, working as one.

Agency partners will benefit from Detector Inspector’s industry-leading compliance platform—an in-house developed system designed to centralise and simplify safety and compliance tasks, including reporting and document management. The platform integrates seamlessly with major property management software and operates in the background, streamlining workflows, automating routine tasks and significantly reducing risk.

Backed by over 500 field service professionals completing safety checks in more than 2,500 homes daily across the country, Detector Inspector is equipped to support even the largest portfolios. A dedicated, Australia-based support team of 50 professionals—including account managers and responsive helpdesk staff—provides property managers with the confidence and support they need to manage compliance efficiently.

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Detector Inspector is proud to announce the certification of three internationally recognised ISO standards—marking a significant milestone in the business’s ongoing commitment to quality, safety and environmental responsibility.
What is ISO and why does it matter?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a globally recognised body that develops standards to ensure businesses meet high benchmarks in quality, safety and environmental responsibility.

Achieving ISO certification means an independent auditor in Sustainable Certification has verified that Detector Inspector meets these rigorous standards—demonstrating a commitment to best practices across every level of the business.

Following a comprehensive independent audit, Detector Inspector is now certified in:

ISO 9001 2015 HALF
ISO 45001 HALF
ISO 14001 2015 HALF

ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System
Assesses the processes, resources and culture used to deliver consistent quality and improve customer satisfaction.

ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System
Reviews how an organisation manages OH&S risks to protect the wellbeing of workers and comply with legal obligations.

ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System
Evaluates how an organisation manages its environmental responsibilities to enhance performance and reduce its impact.

These certifications establish Detector Inspector as the first and only safety and compliance service provider to achieve such recognition.

Chief Executive Officer Nick Burkett led the project, supported by dedicated staff across the business.

ISO 860x645 (blog body image)

“ISO certification isn’t just a badge - it’s independent proof that our systems, people and processes are operating at the highest standard for our clients, staff and tenants. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team across all levels of the business.”

Nick Burkett, Detector Inspector’s Chief Executive Officer

Detector Inspector’s ISO accreditation is publicly listed on the JASANZ Register which you can find here: JASANZ Register

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The Victorian Government has passed new rental laws that will take effect in November 2025, introducing additional compliance requirements for property managers and owners.

Background

The Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024 introduces new compliance obligations for rental properties in Victoria.

Key changes include mandatory annual smoke alarm checks for all rental properties and a requirement for properties to meet minimum standards before being advertised for rent. These updates expand existing regulations, increasing the responsibilities of rental providers and property managers.

What's changing?
  • Mandatory annual smoke alarm safety checks - All rental properties must have annual smoke alarm safety checks, irrespective of whether a residential rental agreement for rented premises was entered into before, on or after 29 March 2021.
  • Minimum standards before advertising - Agencies must have a reasonable belief that properties meet minimum standards before they are advertised or opened for inspection, with significant fines for breach. 
  • Additional updates - 90-day notice for rent increases or notices to vacate, ban on no-fault evictions and rental bidding, privacy protections for renter application data, higher penalties for non-compliance and more which you can find here.
Why the change for smoke alarm safety checks?

This reform closes a loophole that previously excluded properties with rental agreements signed before March 29, 2021, from mandatory smoke alarm safety checks.

The Government estimates that these reforms remove the exclusion for 240,000 properties, ensuring that annual smoke alarm testing is required at all properties.

It was also was revealed by Residential Tenancies Bond Authority data that in 2023, 5% of rental properties did not require landlords to regularly test smoke alarms.

The catalyst

A tragic event that played a role in the development of these reforms was the tragic death of a 52-year-old man, Simon Peter Scarff.

Simon lost his life while trying to escape a fire in his rental apartment in Ballarat in 2022. The coroner was unable to confirm whether a smoke alarm was present in the property and the periodic lease he was on meant there was no obligation to check.

Consumer Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams visited the home of Sister Jo McConville in November 2024 and announced that the government would pursue reforms the Scarff’s had been campaigning for since Simon’s death to make sure every rental in Victoria had its smoke alarm inspected once a year.

Therese Scarff said the loss of her brother continued to impact her family every day, and their decision to advocate for change was immediate.

”…from our own research trying to figure out how we got into this position we came to realise the periodic lease that Simon had in place wasn't captured in previous reforms. That's where the journey began.”

New minimum standards

In addition to changes under the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill, separate legislative updates introduced in November 2024's Residential Tenancies and Residential Tenancies (Rooming House Standards) Amendment includes the provision of a new rental minimum standard.

From December 1, 2025, all corded internal window coverings in rental properties must have safety anchors installed. Properties without them will be non-compliant and cannot be advertised for rent.

Learn more about this reform at our article here.

Get in touch today with our friendly team to make sure your property is compliant with these upcoming obligations.
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As Detector Inspector approaches its 20th anniversary, the company is excited to announce a significant milestone in its journey.

In the new year, Nick Burkett will assume the role of CEO, marking the next phase of growth for the business while maintaining the stability and continuity that clients and partners value.

Founded two decades ago by Jason and Jordan, Detector Inspector was built on the principle of creating opportunities for all—a core value that continues to guide the company’s decisions. This leadership transition reflects that commitment, as Nick, who joined DI as COO in 2020, takes on a role that aligns with his long-term aspirations.

Over the past four and a half years, Nick has had a profound impact on Detector Inspector. His leadership, operational expertise, and dedication to DI’s mission of creating safer homes have prepared him well take on the CEO role.

Nick Burkett
Nick Burkett - CEO
Stability and continuity

Jason and Jordan remain actively involved as Executive Directors, focusing on strategic partnerships and growth opportunities, including mergers, acquisitions, and key partnerships, while continuing to support the executive team.

Furthermore, the existing executive team remains in place, with one addition: Alex Hnarakis will step into the COO role vacated by Nick’s transition. Alex retains responsibility for Scheduling and Help@DI and now takes on the Service Delivery team, led by Daniel Braver.

Alex
Alex Hnarakis - COO
A commitment to clients and the future

Detector Inspector is well-positioned to build on its foundation as an industry leader with sophisticated technology-driven operations, rich data insights, and a strong commitment to client relationships.

The company’s focus remains on maintaining trusted partnerships with clients while unlocking new opportunities for growth. With Jason and Jordan continuing to play an active role and the broader leadership team intact, Detector Inspector’s mission to create safer homes and foster meaningful relationships is stronger than ever.

As the company looks ahead to 2025, Detector Inspector thanks its clients and partners for their continued trust and support. Together, the company is excited to reach even greater heights in the years to come.

Established in 2005, we're one of the original testing and maintenance service suppliers. Find out where it all began.

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In the Sept 24, 2024 edition of the REIV’s Real Estate Matters podcast Nicole Rich, Executive Director of Regulatory Services at Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), provided crucial updates on the activities of the Victorian Rental Taskforce. The focus was on the responsibilities of real estate agencies when managing properties that fail to meet minimum standards and safety checks as required under the Residential Tenancies Act.

A critical question was posed: What is the position of agencies managing properties where they know, or should reasonably know, that the property fails to comply with legislated safety and minimum standard requirements?

The message was clear:

  • Criminal liability: Agencies must not facilitate the rental of properties that fall short of the legal requirements. If an agency knowingly rents a non-compliant property, the agency and its directors could be criminally liable.
  • Public Rental Non-Compliance Register: If the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) makes an adverse finding against the agency, that agency will be named on the Public Rental Non-Compliance Register, even if they are no longer managing the property at the time of the ruling.
  • No defence for non-engagement: It is no defence for agencies to point to the owner’s inaction, non-responsiveness or assertions without evidence.

Given these risks, and with penalties of $11,000+ for individuals and $59,000+ for companies, the importance of comprehensive compliance management has never been greater.

Ask us how we can help close your compliance gap and reduce the risk for your agency and directors.

Listen to the full REIV podcast below.

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