As all Residential investors will now be aware, key safety activities have been introduced recently, obliging Rental Providers to perform specific safety checks on their properties.

In recent months we have arranged contractors to perform the three general checks – smoke alarms/ electrical safety and gas safety checks and sent out compliance authorities seeking client instructions.

The uptake has been fantastic and it is great to see that our clients understand the need to have these checks performed – either by our contractor or their own.

Smoke Alarm Safety Checks

So far for smoke alarms, we have engaged our tradespeople to perform the relevant checks for 76.27% of our clients.  Our lists have been provided to Smarthouse Fire Solutions and they are very busily carrying out the work now.  Any client who has not provided us with the authority to arrange this check on their behalf remains responsible for the appropriate checks to be done annually by a qualified person. As we now have an obligation to provide copies of compliance certificates to Renters if requested, we ask that you forward those relevant documents to us upon completion for our records.

Note: Repair or replacement of a hard-wired smoke alarm must be undertaken by a suitably qualified person.

Electrical Safety Checks

Rental Providers are now obligated to perform an electrical safety check every two years and ensure their properties meet compliance standards.  Your property must be compliant by the end of March 2023. Despite this compliance date, we have organised the electrical safety checks for this year (2021) to spread out the cost of servicing and any necessary upgrades or repairs that are required. To date we have had a fantastic 67.91% of investors, sign up to our program. Some investors have chosen to hold off for a bit longer, whilst others have access to their own trusted tradespeople. Our lists for the electrical safety check have recently been provided to our contractor – Smarthouse Electrical Safety, and works are due to begin shortly. Any client who has not provided us with the authority to arrange this check on their behalf remains responsible for the appropriate checks to be done each second year by a qualified person. As we now have an obligation to provide copies of compliance certificates to Renters if requested, we ask that you forward those relevant documents to us upon completion for our records. These must be provided within 7 days of a written request from the renter.

Gas Safety Checks

In regard to Gas safety checks, Rental Providers are now obligated to perform a gas safety check every two years and ensure their properties meet compliance standards.  Your property must be compliant by the end of March 2023. We are organising the gas safety checks for next year (2022) to spread out the cost of servicing and any upgrades or repairs that are required. The residential rental provider must ensure that a gas safety check of all gas installations and fittings in the rented premises is conducted every 2 years by a licensed or registered gasfitter and must provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check, in writing, on request by the renter. To date, 66.16% of our investors have arranged to join our program and have the necessary works completed in 2022.

Please be aware, that if a current Renter vacates, a Rental Provider needs to have the checks completed and ensure compliance prior to occupancy of a new tenancy and you/we, will be unable to spread the timing/cost.