As a Real Estate Agent, it’s important you educate your clients on their legal obligations to provide a safe and secure home for tenants.
As a real estate agent acting in the best interests of clients, it’s crucial you ensure safety and security obligations are a key priority for your tenants.
How often Should a Property be Inspected?
As a standard rule, all residential properties should be inspected every two years with smoke alarms tested on the alternate year. This means property safety needs to be addressed on a set date every year.
We suggest agents identify one month where property safety is addressed, every year. This may include sending email or letter reminders to property owners, contacting Rental Safe for routine inspections, or contracting Rental Safe to contact home owners directly when they’re due for a check-up.
What are my Legal Obligations?
There are three key Laws addressing property safety in Australia:
1. The Residential Tenancies Act 1997
2. The Building Act 1993
3. The Fair Trading Act 1997
The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 sets out the legal requirements of landlords, to ensure rented accommodation is maintained in good repair. This includes ensuring the safe working and proper maintenance of all gas and electrical appliances provided by the landlord. For more information, visit
The Building Act 1993, implemented by Energy Safe Victoria, sets the minimal standards of all building work. Energy Safe Victoria state it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure all electrical and gas appliances and systems are checked at the beginning of a lease and at least every 2 years thereafter. Additional Regulations addressing building safety include Building Regulations 2006, Gas Safety Regulations, Electrical Safety Regulations, and the Building Code of Australia. For further information, visit
The Fair Trading Act 1999 is the main legislation protecting Victorian consumers. It sets out the rights and duties of both tenants and landlords or agents in their relationship. A residential tenancy agreement is a consumer contract, and is bound by this Act. The Act states any rented residential property must be fit for that purpose, and abide by all legal requirements and safety standards. For further information, visit