Understanding Your Electrical Safety Responsibilities

Under Queensland laws, both property owners and tenants have responsibilities for the electrical safety in a rental property.

The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (RTRA Act) states that Landlords and Property Managers must ensure that the property is not in breach of any health and safety laws, including the Electrical Safety Act 2002, at the start of the tenancy.  

They must also continue to maintain the property as well as undertake any necessary repairs in a timely manner to protect the safety of their tenants and investments.

Safety switches protect people from electric shock, while circuit breakers protect equipment and cabling. First-time tenants or owners will learn where they can find a safety switch, how to test a safety switch and when to test it. It’s important all parties are informed and know what to do to keep your home safe.

All power point circuits in rental properties must have a safety switch attached. To check or test safety switches, or to carry out repairs on the rental property, Landlords and Property Managers need to give tenants 24 hours’ notice and a Form 9 Entry Notice stating who is entering and when.   

Whether you are a tenant or a Landlord or Property Manager, failure to comply with the Electrical Safety Act 2002 can result in significant fines or even imprisonment for conduct that recklessly exposes someone to a risk of injury or death.

The RTRA Act defines what is deemed to be an emergency repair. This includes a dangerous electrical fault or a fault or damage that makes the premises unsafe or insecure. Tenants are encouraged to report any faults or repairs as soon as possible.

 

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