Victoria Home Safety solutions to protect what matters most

Smoke alarms are legally required in all residential properties across Victoria, including houses, units, townhouses, and apartments. Rental providers must ensure their property is fitted with working smoke alarms that meet current safety standards. Homes built after 1 August 1997 must be fitted with 240-volt hardwired smoke alarms that include a backup battery. For homes constructed after 1 May 2014, if there is more than one smoke alarm in the property, they must be mains-powered and interconnected so all alarms activate simultaneously. Properties built before these dates may use battery-powered smoke alarms, as long as they are compliant and in working order.

Landlords are required to ensure smoke alarms are correctly installed and in working order, and they must be tested according to the manufacturer's instructions at least once every 12 months. Landlords are responsible for ensuring all smoke alarms have their batteries replaced as required, and must provide the renter with written information on or before the start of a tenancy. Any non-working smoke alarms must be repaired or replaced as an urgent repair.

Victorian property owners now face increased gas safety and compliance obligations following amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), which became law on 29 March 2021. The property owner must ensure that a gas safety check of all gas installations and fittings is performed every two years by a licensed or registered gasfitter who holds a valid licence or registration for 'Type A Servicing'. The owner must provide the renter with the date of the most recent gas safety check if requested. If a gas safety check has not been carried out within the last two years, the owner must arrange one as soon as possible once a renter occupies the property.

Electrical installations and fittings must be checked by a licensed electrician at least every two years; if no check has occurred in the past two years, one must be done as soon as possible after a renter moves in. Rental providers must disclose the date of the last electrical safety check and any outstanding recommendations before a new agreement is signed. From 29 March 2023, all power outlets and circuits must be connected to compliant circuit breakers (AS/NZS 3000 or AS/NZS 61009.1); this applies to new rental agreements and to fixed-term agreements that roll into periodic agreements after 29 March 2021. For agreements that rolled into periodic before 29 March 2021, regular checks are encouraged to meet obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

The name of the licensed or registered electrician who performed the check; their licence or registration number; the date the check was completed; and the results of the check, including any necessary repairs and actions taken.

Corded blinds and curtains must be installed so that a loose cord cannot form a loop 220mm or longer at or less than 1,600mm above floor level. Blinds and curtains must be installed in accordance with the installation instructions on any retail packaging. A cleat used to secure a cord must be installed at least 1,600mm above floor level.

The person installing a corded blind or curtain must attach a label with the name and contact details of the person or company responsible for the installation. Warning labels or swing tags supplied with the corded blinds or curtains must not be removed.