Rental electrical safety checks in Victoria

Since March 2021, Victorian rental providers have had a legal obligation to have electrical safety checks carried out every two years by a licensed or registered electrician. Here's what that means in practice.

Written and reviewed by Mitchell Mathie, Director & Licensed Electrician (REC 32391), Mathie Electrical Group. Published 6 August 2026 · Updated 13 August 2026.

The requirement in plain English

Under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, every rented premises must have its electrical installations and appliances supplied by the rental provider checked at least every two years. The check must be done by a licensed or registered electrician, and the rental provider must give the renter the date of the most recent check on request.

If a check hasn't been done in the last two years when a new renter moves in, it must be arranged as soon as practicable.

What changes on 13 October 2026

Until now, the two-yearly check requirement has applied to rental agreements entered into on or after 29 March 2021 (and certain long-term agreements that rolled over after that date). From 13 October 2026, that distinction disappears: gas and electrical safety checks every two years apply to every Victorian rental agreement, regardless of when the tenancy started.

Two practical points for rental providers:

Existing checks still count. If the property has had a compliant electrical safety check by a licensed electrician and you've kept the record, you don't restart the clock — the next check is simply due within two years of the last one.

Never-checked properties are now in scope. Older tenancies that pre-date the 2021 rules and have never had a documented check will need one. Given how much of the local rental stock this covers, we'd strongly recommend booking before the October rush rather than during it.

Rental providers must keep the record of each check and give the renter a copy — and produce it for prospective renters on request.

What actually gets tested

• Switchboard, condition, labelling, protection devices, and whether safety switches are present and functional
• Safety switch (RCD) testing. Each device tripped and timed to confirm it operates within required limits
• Socket outlets and light fittings, condition, polarity, secure mounting, damage
• Earthing. Main earth and bonding integrity
• Visible wiring, deterioration, damage, unsafe modifications
• Supplied appliances. Where the rental provider supplies them

Testing is carried out in line with AS/NZS 3019, the standard for periodic verification of existing installations.

What it costs

A standard residential electrical safety check runs $220–$320 inc GST for a typical house or unit. Bundling the electrical check with a gas or smoke alarm check on the same visit usually reduces the total.

If defects are found, they're quoted separately. And a good electrician quotes them on the spot so there's no second call-out fee to fix a $40 problem.

Smoke alarms are a separate obligation

Smoke alarms must be tested annually (not two-yearly) and must be correctly installed and working. Most rental providers we work with schedule both together and simply do the electrical check every second year.

What happens if you don't

Beyond the compliance risk, there's the practical one: if something goes wrong in a property without documented checks, the position is considerably harder to defend. With insurers, with VCAT, and with your own conscience if someone's hurt.

Property managers: the easy version

Send us your rent roll and we'll build a rolling two-year schedule so nothing lapses, you get reminders before things fall due, reports formatted for your file, and one point of contact rather than chasing trades per property.

We do these across Frankston, Seaford, Carrum Downs, Langwarrin and the wider Peninsula every week.