www.reiwa.com.au
From 9 August 2009, sellers of residential properties will be required by state law to have two
Residual Currency Devices (RCDs), installed in the property. These safety devices must be
installed by the settlement date.
The same law applies to owners with rental properties. Any residential premises being newly
leased must comply from August 9 this year. For existing tenants where no new lease is required
the RCDs must be fitted by 9 August 2011.
These devices can save people from electrocution. RCDs can also protect against fires which can
start from small leakages of current from wires with damaged or perished insulation. Any
licensed electrician can supply and fit the RCDs on the switchboard of your property.
There can be an exemption where the buyer will be demolishing the property. A specified date
for demolition must be nominated and cannot be more than six months from the date of transfer.
The seller is required to send that buyer's statement to the Director of Energy
Safety.Safety at the Department
** Content courtesy of reiwa**
The new regulations will mainly affect properties where construction commenced before 2001,
when it became compulsory to fit at least two RCDs in all newly built properties.
In addition to this RCD requirement, there will soon be an additional requirement to have hardwired
smoke alarms, not more than ten years old, in all residential properties being sold or made
available for lease. This law is expected to come into effect in October this year.
REIWA understands that the state government bodies involved in these reforms will run a
community education campaign to explain the changes.
Be alert to this campaign and talk to your real estate agent or property manager to find out if
these requirements affect your property.
If your property will be affected by these new state laws then you should contact an electrical
contractor who will be familiar with the requirements, or ask your property manager to see to
this on your behalf.
For more information about RCDs you can contact the Division of Energy
of Commerce in Perth on 9422 5200.
