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Home — Resources — New VIC Legislation is now in effect: Don’t get caught out with non-compliance!
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Regulations

New VIC Legislation is now in effect: Don’t get caught out with non-compliance!

07 January 2020
New VIC RTA changes
Changes to the RTA VIC increased the mandatory safety obligations on smoke alarm, gas and electrical safety checks from March 2021. Detector Inspector has new safety checks covered.

New changes to the RTA VIC are in effect as of March 29, 2021. The new, more complex safety checks and required minimum standards are now defined by a number of different new Australian standards. The new obligations are triggered for any written lease agreement, new or renewal, and penalties will be applied for failing to comply.

What’s changed?

Here’s a summary of the key changes to the RTA VIC which are in effect from March 29, 2021.

Smoke alarm safety
  • An annual smoke alarm safety check is now mandatory, not just recommended.
  • A faulty or non-working smoke alarm is now considered an urgent repair.
  • Repair of hardwired smoke alarms must now be carried out by a suitably qualified professional i.e. a licensed or registered electrician.
  • Property managers are now required to provide renters with operation manuals, testing and no tamper instructions for all installed alarms.

Detector Inspector's smoke alarm safety service provides peace of mind that all smoke alarms at a property are operating correctly and the property is safe and compliant.

Gas safety
  • A gas safety check for all gas installations and fittings is mandatory every 2 years.
  • The safety check must be carried out by a licensed or registered gas fitter with Type A servicing accreditation.
  • Renters now have the right to request the date of the last gas safety check.
  • If not checked within the last 2 years, a gas safety check is required as soon as practical after the renter occupies the property.
  • Detailed records must be kept including the name and licence or registration number of the gas fitter who conducted the check, the date of the check, and the results including any repairs required and actions taken. The record must be kept until a record of the next check is available.
  • Renters have the right to ask for a copy of the record and must be supplied within 7 days of written request.

Detector Inspector have been offering our gas safety service for over 5 years. Our service has been designed in line with Energy Safe Victoria guidelines to meet the definition outlined in the new regulations.

Electrical safety
  • An electrical safety check for all landlord-provided electrical appliances, installations and fittings is now mandatory every 2 years.
  • The safety check must be carried out by a licensed or registered electrician in accordance with the Australian and New Zealand Standard for Electrical Installations—periodic variation (AS/NZS 3019:2007). The service must be amended when these variations update at any time.
  • Renters now have the right to request the date of the last electrical safety check.
  • If not checked within the last 2 years, an electrical safety check is required as soon as practicable after the renter occupies the property.
  • Detailed records must be kept including the name and licence or registration number of the electrician who conducted the check, the date of the check, the results including any repairs required and actions taken, and a report prepared in accordance with section 2 of AS/NZS 3019. The record must be kept until a record of the next check is available.
  • Renters have the right to ask for a copy of the record and must be supplied within 7 days of written request.

Detector Inspector introduced our electrical safety service in anticipation of the new legislation, and we’ve checked over 6000 properties since January 2020. Our service was designed in line with Energy Safe Victoria guidelines to comply with the standards in the new regulations.

New Minimum Standards

Heating:

  • From March 29, 2021 there must be a fixed heater in good working order in the living room
  • Any heaters installed after March 29, 2021 must be energy efficient
  • From March 29, 2023 all fixed heaters must have an energy efficiency rating of 2-stars or higher

Electrical safety:

  • From March 29, 2023 all properties must have a switchboard fitted with a Residual Current Device.
A new financial, administrative and practical burden for landlords

Under the new regulations, renters have the right to request the date of the last safety service for both gas and electrical. There is an obligation to complete a service ‘as soon as practicable’ when a new renter moves into a property that hasn’t had a check for 2 years or more.

Proper documentation have become a critical protection for landlords and property managers, with records maintained meticulously to show that you’ve met your obligations around services and notification of tenants.

Safer Home Package to the rescue

The Safer Home Package was designed to provide a simple, cost-effective solution for landlords and property managers to address the new safety requirements imposed by changes to the Victorian Residential Tenancies Act.

By offering a bundled discount, and a low recurring annual subscription fee, the Safer Home Package provides year-round protection and compliance assurance across smoke alarms, gas and electrical services.

Remember – the changes to the RTA VIC are in effect from March 29, 2021 and penalties will apply for non-compliance. Now is a great time to get in touch and get organised to meet the new legislation.

 

Are you one of our current clients? Contact your Account Manager to learn more about the changes and our one-stop solution; the Safer Home Package.

Are you looking for a provider to help you navigate the new legislation, hassle-free? Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch.

Our Safer Home Package is a subscription service that provides Victorian property managers and their landlords with a total compliance solution across smoke alarms, gas and electrical services

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While you’re here

Regulations
Victorians should put safety first in uncertain times
22 October 2020
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The Safer Home Package: Our solution to the RTA (VIC) regulation changes
15 May 2020
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New QLD smoke alarm legislation for 2022: Why it’s urgent to upgrade now
27 March 2020
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