Safety switches protect people from electric shock, so to make your property as safe as possible, have safety
switches installed on all circuits. By law, domestic rental properties including houses and units must have a safety switch fitted to power point circuits as a minimum. If a property is rented and does not have a safety switch, the owner must ensure one is installed as soon as possible. Don’t mistake circuit breakers for safety switches. Circuit breakers are designed to protect circuit wiring and equipment, while safety switches save lives. A safety switch has a test button. If you can’t see any test buttons in your switchboard, it means you don’t have a safety switch and you should contact your licensed electrical contractor to have one installed. Test your safety switches using the test button every three months. Although safety switches can prevent electric shock, they should not substitute electrical maintenance. Have a licensed electrical contractor periodically check your property and operationally test your safety switches. It’s a good idea to have the safety switches tested at the same time the smoke alarm testing is done.
Property owners and managers have a duty under electrical safety laws to ensure their rental property is
electrically safe for tenants and people that visit or work on the property.
Electrical safety in rental properties – Property owners guide
