Rental Electrical Safety Checks Victoria 2026: What Landlords Must Do

Quick answer

Victorian landlords must have a licensed electrician carry out an electrical safety check of every rental property at least once every two years under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021. The check covers the switchboard, safety switches, wiring, outlets and fixed appliances, and you must keep the written report and provide it to tenants on request.

If you own a rental property on the Mornington Peninsula — whether in Frankston, Mornington, Rosebud, Rye, or anywhere along the coast — you have a legal obligation to keep the electrical installation safe. And since the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 came into effect, that obligation now includes a mandatory 2-yearly electrical safety check.

This post explains exactly what's required, what gets inspected, what a COES is, and what happens if you don't comply. No waffle — just what you need to know as a Victorian landlord in 2026.

The Legal Basis: Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021

The Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 (Victoria) amended the minimum standards landlords must meet before renting a property. Regulation 13 specifically deals with electrical safety, and requires that:

• 📋 An electrical safety check of the rental premises must be conducted by a licensed or registered electrician
• 📋 The check must be conducted at least once every 2 years
• 📋 The check must cover all electrical installations, fittings, and appliances supplied with the property
• 📋 A record of the check must be kept and provided to the tenant on request
• 📋 The record must include the date of inspection, name and licence number of the electrician, and the outcome

These requirements apply to all residential tenancies in Victoria — standard long-term leases, rooming houses, and (depending on the arrangement) some holiday rentals. If you manage the property through a real estate agent, the obligation still rests with you as the landlord.

What Gets Inspected?

A proper rental electrical safety check covers the full electrical installation. Here's what a licensed electrician will inspect:

Switchboard & Protection Devices

• 🔌 Condition and operation of circuit breakers and fuses
• 🔌 Presence and function of safety switches (RCDs) — legally required in rental properties
• 🔌 Signs of overheating, arcing, or corrosion
• 🔌 Correct labelling of circuits

Fixed Wiring & Outlets

• 🔌 Visible wiring condition (damage, exposure, deterioration)
• 🔌 Power points and light switches — secure, undamaged, correct earthing
• 🔌 Outdoor and wet area outlets — appropriate weatherproofing and RCD protection
• 🔌 Earth continuity testing on accessible circuits

Fixed Appliances Supplied with the Property

• 🔌 Electric oven, cooktop, rangehood
• 🔌 Fixed heating (electric panels, ducted systems)
• 🔌 Air conditioning units
• 🔌 Hot water system (electric)
• 🔌 Exhaust fans
• 🔌 Garage door motors and gate operators

What Is a COES?

A Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) is issued by a licensed electrician to Energy Safe Victoria following electrical work — meaning installation, repair, or alteration of an electrical installation. The safety inspection itself is not "electrical work" in the same sense, so a routine inspection without findings does not generate a COES.

However, if the inspection identifies a defect and the electrician rectifies it on the spot — tightening a loose connection, replacing a faulty outlet, installing a missing safety switch — that remediation work does require a COES. Your electrician issues it directly to Energy Safe Victoria online.

What you do receive after every inspection (regardless of findings) is a written inspection report. Keep this. You are legally required to retain it and provide it to tenants on request. It's also your defence if anything goes wrong.

Safety Switches: The Big One

Under Victorian law, rental properties must have safety switches (RCDs) installed. Specifically:

• ⚡ All power point circuits must be protected by a safety switch
• ⚡ All lighting circuits must be protected by a safety switch (from 1 October 2023 for new and existing rentals)

If your rental property doesn't have safety switches on all circuits, this needs to be rectified — not just noted. Older Mornington Peninsula properties, particularly those built before 2000, frequently lack safety switches on lighting circuits. This is one of the most common issues we find during rental inspections across the Peninsula.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 is a serious matter. Landlords can face:

• ⚠️ Fines of up to 60 penalty units (over $11,000 as of 2026) for each breach
• ⚠️ Breach of duty notices from Consumer Affairs Victoria
• ⚠️ Compensation claims from tenants if an electrical fault causes injury or property damage
• ⚠️ Insurance claim rejection if the insurer determines electrical maintenance was neglected

The cost of a 2-yearly electrical safety check is modest and represents a small fraction of the exposure you carry without one. We provide a free quote — call 0418 383 232.

How to Book on the Mornington Peninsula

We service rental properties from Frankston to Flinders, including Mornington, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, and everything in between. When we attend a rental inspection, you get:

• ✅ Full written inspection report (keep this on file)
• ✅ Safety switch testing with documented results
• ✅ Same-day minor defect rectification where possible
• ✅ Clear advice on any issues that need follow-up
• ✅ COES issued to Energy Safe Victoria for any work performed

Find out more on our rental electrical safety checks page, or call us to discuss your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do Victorian landlords need an electrical safety check?

Under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, rental properties must have an electrical safety check performed by a licensed electrician at least every 2 years, or sooner if an issue is identified.

What is a COES and does a rental electrical check require one?

A Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) is issued by a licensed electrician to Energy Safe Victoria after completing electrical work. A safety inspection itself does not automatically generate a COES — but if the inspector identifies and rectifies any defects, a COES must be issued for that remediation work.

What happens if I don't get a rental electrical safety check in Victoria?

Landlords who fail to comply with the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 can face penalties of up to 60 penalty units (over $11,000 as of 2026). More importantly, non-compliance leaves you exposed to liability if an electrical fault harms a tenant.

Does a rental electrical safety check cover smoke alarms?

Smoke alarm compliance is a separate obligation under Victorian law, though a competent electrician will note obvious smoke alarm deficiencies during an inspection. We offer a combined smoke alarm and electrical safety check for rental properties.

Book Your Rental Electrical Safety Check

Mornington Peninsula landlords — stay compliant, protect your tenants, protect yourself
A Grade Electrician · Licence A53308 · REC 25266 · $25M Public Liability