Reforms to improve safety for Victorian renters

Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gabrielle Williams, announced the measures on 21 November in Ballarat, joined by the Scarff family, whose advocacy has been instrumental in driving the changes.

Under the reforms, rental providers or agents must conduct smoke alarm checks annually, immediately arranging urgent repairs for faulty smoke alarms. Qualified tradespersons must also conduct gas and electrical safety checks biannually for all residential rentals, regardless of when a lease began.

The announcement follows the tragic death of 52-year-old Simon Scarff in 2022, who died in a fire at his rental apartment. The coroner’s report could not confirm the presence of a working smoke alarm on the property. In response to the coroner’s recommendations, the reforms extended the existing 2021 requirements for smoke alarm checks to include all rental properties.

Williams emphasised that these safety reforms would not disclude any tenants and established that the safety of everyone renting a property would be maintained.

“These new requirements will ensure that all rental properties in Victoria have working smoke alarms that are checked regularly – no matter how long someone has been living there,” Williams stated.

The measures build on the Labor government’s 2021 rental reforms, which initially applied safety standards to new agreements signed on 29 March 2021.

Juliana Addison, Member for Wendouree, commended the Scarff family’s advocacy for these reforms.

“Through their advocacy, the Scarff family have improved safety for renters across Ballarat and the state – these safety checks will save lives,” she stated.