QUEENSLAND LANDLORDS REQUIRED TO SWITCH ON TO SAFETY
Published Sunday, 30 September, 2007 at 08:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
From 29 February 2008, owners of domestic rental accommodation will be legally required to have safety switches installed in all rental properties where a residential tenancy agreement is in place.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said the new regulations required safety switch protection for all power points in all rented accommodation. If safety switches are not present the owner must arrange their installation by a licensed electrical contractor before 29 February 2008.
Mr Mickel said a new weapon in electrical safety came into effect in 1992, when the installation of safety switches became mandatory in all new homes.
“The new regulations ensure that rental owners are held accountable for the safety of those living in their investment properties,” he said.
“Equally, tenants need to be aware of the regulations that safeguard their own personal safety. “
Mr Mickel said safety switches could save lives by detecting electrical faults when they occurred.
“Safety switches operate very, very quickly – in the blink of an eye in fact - disconnecting the electricity before enough current has passed through a person to cause injury or death,” he said.
"These regulations have been developed to protect tenants and landlords.
“Everybody should take electrical safety very seriously. If a safety switch is not installed by 29 February 2008, owners could be liable for fines and prosecution.
“Tenants should take particular care when viewing a property to ensure safety switches are in place. If this is not obvious, they should check that the switches will be installed before an agreement is finalised.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said the new regulations required safety switch protection for all power points in all rented accommodation. If safety switches are not present the owner must arrange their installation by a licensed electrical contractor before 29 February 2008.
Mr Mickel said a new weapon in electrical safety came into effect in 1992, when the installation of safety switches became mandatory in all new homes.
“The new regulations ensure that rental owners are held accountable for the safety of those living in their investment properties,” he said.
“Equally, tenants need to be aware of the regulations that safeguard their own personal safety. “
Mr Mickel said safety switches could save lives by detecting electrical faults when they occurred.
“Safety switches operate very, very quickly – in the blink of an eye in fact - disconnecting the electricity before enough current has passed through a person to cause injury or death,” he said.
"These regulations have been developed to protect tenants and landlords.
“Everybody should take electrical safety very seriously. If a safety switch is not installed by 29 February 2008, owners could be liable for fines and prosecution.
“Tenants should take particular care when viewing a property to ensure safety switches are in place. If this is not obvious, they should check that the switches will be installed before an agreement is finalised.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125