The Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 (RTR)

RENTING LAWS

- Major changes to the renting tenancy regulations have come into force as of 29th March 2021.
- This now means Rental Providers must now undertake electricity safety checks every two years.
- The electrical safety checks must be performed by a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) to determine whether the installation and all its constituent equipment is in a safe condition for continued use.
- The Rental provider is required to ensure this has been carried out every two years and keeps records of safety checks.

SAFETY OBLIGATIONS

- Rental providers must ensure an electrical safety check of all electrical installations, wiring, earthing and fittings on the premises is conducted every two years by a REC
- The safety check must be conducted in accordance with section 4 of AS/NZS 3019 “Electrical Installations”
- AS/NZS 3019:2007 also has a verification certificate (form 1) that must be completed, signed and given to the Rental Providers and Renters
- Provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check-in writing
- If the safety check shows electrical repairs are needed to make the property safe, the rental provider should engage a REC to do the repair work
- These requirements are intended to ensure:

• The protection of persons and livestock against electric shock and burns
• The protection against damage to property by fire and heat arising from an installation defect

EVIDENCE OF SAFETY CHECKS

- The REC performing an electrical safety check should provide a record of the electrical safety check to the rental provider.
It must include:

• The full name and business details, including the licence number of the REC who performed the check.
• The date of the safety check.
• The results of the check, including any repairs required and actions, are taken to address the repair.
• Confirmation that all installations and fittings have been checked and found safe.