If you own a rental property in Victoria, electrical safety checks aren’t optional anymore — they’re a legal requirement.
But more importantly, they exist for a very good reason: rental homes tend to be older, experience higher appliance turnover, and issues often go unnoticed until something fails… or someone gets hurt.
At TEIGE Electrical Services, we complete electrical safety inspections across Warrnambool, Koroit, Port Fairy, Hamilton and surrounding areas, and the majority of defects we find are things tenants would never reasonably detect themselves — failing RCD protection, deteriorated earthing, overloaded circuits and unsafe previous DIY work.
The goal isn’t to make property management harder.
The goal is to prevent shocks, fires, and liability.
What the Law Requires (Victoria)
Under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021:
Rental providers must ensure electrical safety checks are completed every 2 years by a licensed electrician.
After the inspection you must receive:
• A report from a licensed electrician
• A record of tests performed
• Details of any defects found
• Confirmation the installation is electrically safe — or actions required
If requested, this must be provided to the tenant or rental authority.
This isn’t a visual inspection — it is a test and verification process.
What We Actually Test (Not Just Look At)
Many inspections in the market are quick walkthroughs.
A compliant inspection is not.
At TEIGE, we test to AS/NZS 3019 & AS/NZS 3000 standards, including:
Safety Devices (RCDs)
- Trip-time testing with calibrated equipment
- Push button testing
- Circuit identification
- Verification all required circuits are protected
Earthing System
- Earth continuity testing
- Main earth verification
- Bonding checks to metallic services
- MEN connection integrity
Switchboard
- Overheating and damage
- Correct circuit protection
- Cable sizing
- Compliance of alterations
Final Subcircuits
- Insulation resistance testing where necessary
- Polarity testing
- Fault loop impedance
- Socket outlet testing
General Electrical Hazards
- Damaged outlets & switches
- Exposed cabling
- DIY modifications
- Fire risks
Most of these cannot be confirmed visually — they require instruments.
Why This Matters for Landlords
A passed inspection protects you in three ways:
1. Tenant safety — the obvious one
2. Insurance validity — many claims fail after electrical incidents without evidence of compliance
3. Liability protection — you demonstrated due diligence
We regularly find serious faults in homes that “seemed fine”.
Common examples:
- RCD that doesn’t trip
- No effective earth present
- Active/neutral reversed at outlets
- Circuits added without protection
- Switchboards modified decades ago
These are invisible risks — until they aren’t.
How Our Inspections Work
We try to make the process easy for property managers and tenants:
- We coordinate access times
- Power interruptions are kept minimal
- Full testing completed in one visit
- Digital report issued
- Defects clearly prioritised (safety vs maintenance)
No scare tactics, no inflated repair lists — just a factual report.
If Defects Are Found
Finding issues is normal — especially in older homes.
You are not failing compliance by having faults.
You only fail compliance by ignoring them.
We clearly separate:
Immediate safety risks
Must be rectified
Recommended improvements
Optional maintenance
This helps owners make practical decisions rather than panic repairs.
Local, Consistent, Accountable
Unlike subscription compliance companies, you deal directly with the electrician performing the inspection.
That means:
- Consistent standards
- Clear explanations
- No outsourced contractors
- Local accountability
We work regularly with property managers across South-West Victoria and understand the coordination challenges involved.
Booking an Electrical Safety Check
If your property is due (or you’re unsure), we can help determine the status and schedule an inspection.
TEIGE Electrical Services
Electrical Safety Checks — Residential Rental Compliance
Servicing Warrnambool & surrounding region
