Regulations
Victorians should put safety first in uncertain times
22 October 2020
While the RTA has pushed back the deadline for legislation date changes, property managers shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security. As always, tenant safety comes first. There is still a shortage of technicians in Victoria to complete the necessary services, and the window for meeting new mandatory requirements is closing fast. Here’s how to meet your obligations and keep tenants safe in uncertain times.
1. Put safety first
The rental provider must ensure a gas safety check of all gas installations and fittings is conducted every 2 years by a licensed or registered gasfitter. (The gasfitter will require a license/registration for ‘Type A Servicing’). The rental provider must provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check upon request. If a gas safety check has not been conducted within the last 2 years the rental provider must arrange one as soon as practicable upon a renter occupying the premises.
2. Stay on top of compliance
While safety comes first, compliance is a close second. A simple compliance service makes it easier to check and maintain compliance regularly, making safer homes. And a watertight compliance management system, with everything backed up digitally, protects landlords in case of a safety incident.
In light of Covid restrictions, the RTA has extended the date for legislation changes to come into effect to 29 March 2021. The extension means that Covid-19 won’t be an excuse for not meeting the mandatory requirements by the new deadline. To get your portfolio compliant in time, how many services a day will you need between now and the 29 March? Don’t procrastinate!
Many property managers are feeling overwhelmed by the task of getting compliant before the deadline. Detector Inspector is here to help you! Reach out to us today and we’ll get the process started—giving you one less thing to worry about.
3. Plan ahead for the unpredictable
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that circumstances can change on short notice and planning ahead is difficult. While the situation in Victoria remains relatively stable, don’t miss the window for getting your portfolio compliant before the deadline.
Many property managers have procrastinated on organising compliance checks ahead of the new legislation, creating an even bigger spike in demand for service providers. There’s still a state-wide shortage of property qualified and accredited tradespeople to carry out the services required for over 600,000 rental properties in Victoria. The window before the deadline is closing fast!
As covid restrictions ease, there remains the possibility that legislation could come into effect earlier than 29 March. Take the opportunity to organise services while you can, as soon as you can!
As a essential safety service, Detector Inspector is operating normally throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep everybody safe, our technicians are taking precautions outlined in our COVID-19 Action Plan. It’s just one more way we’re putting safety first in our communities.
The new regulations: more rights for tenants, more work for property managers
Increased compliance obligations for rental properties in Victoria will create a significant increase in the administrative burden for property managers.
More rights for tenants. Under the new regulations, property managers will be obliged to:
- On request, provide the date of the last safety service and a copy of the last service report
- On or before occupation day, provide every renter with information about how each smoke alarm works, how to test it, and “no tamper” instructions
- When notified by a renter that a smoke alarm is not working, consider it an “urgent repair” and arrange immediately for it to be repaired or replaced
- Ensure there’s a fixed heater in the main living area or install an energy-efficient one
More work for property managers. There will be more record-keeping and increased negotiations with owners, occupants and tradies to meet the new safety obligations.
- Time-consuming landlord education about their new mandatory safety obligations
- Increased hassle where multiple property entries are required to get tradies in
- Negotiation of new issues with owners (like extra costs) and tenants (increased disturbance for services)
- Increased record keeping and audit trail obligations, including logging tenant requests
The Detector Inspector Solution
By putting safety first and compliance a close second, we’re driven to create solutions that ensure safety for tenants, year-round compliance for landlords and virtually no admin hassle for property managers.
Our Safer Home Package is an all-in-one solution for smoke alarms, gas and electrical safety compliance with an all-inclusive, flat annual fee. The predictable yearly price and automatic continuity of services keeps landlords happy and reduces the organisational burden for property managers, while year-round compliance keeps tenants safe.
We use a sophisticated digital mailout system that automates the service offer and onboarding of landlords, customised with your agency logos and the look and feel of your regular communications. Once landlords are onboard, tenant entry notifications for services are fully automated via text and email direct from the system to your tenants.
2020 has been overwhelming and unpredictable. A hassle-free, reliable compliance solution helps you keep things under control and keep tenants safe in uncertain times.
