Smoke alarms, RCD testing and inspection intervals — the electrical obligations Sydney landlords and property managers should not overlook.
Smoke alarms come first
NSW requires working smoke alarms on every storey of a rental property, and landlords must ensure they are functioning at the start of every tenancy and annually thereafter. Photoelectric alarms are strongly recommended over ionisation types.
Interconnected 240V alarms with battery backup are the gold standard: when one detects smoke, every alarm in the property sounds.
Safety switches and periodic testing
RCDs should be push-button tested every three months and trip-time tested by an electrician periodically. An RCD that latches but does not trip within the required time is worse than useless — it creates false confidence.
We provide written test results after every inspection, which is exactly the documentation you want on file if an incident ever occurs.
A sensible inspection interval
For rentals, a documented electrical safety inspection every two years is a reasonable standard. Between inspections, ask tenants to report flickering lights, warm outlets, tripping circuits or any burning smell immediately.
A two-hour inspection is far cheaper than an insurance dispute over an undocumented installation.
Need a licensed Sydney electrician?
Bright Electrical is available 24/7 across Sydney for emergencies and scheduled work.
0421 664 004