29 April 2019

National safety alert reminder – gas heaters

In case you missed it, a national safety alert was issued last month for four open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may produce too much carbon monoxide – potentially causing serious health risks to users.

If the home you're renting has one of the following gas heaters, stop using it immediately and notify your landlord or property manager:

• Regency i31 (purchased after 1 January 2010) supplied by Fireplace Products Australia Pty Ltd
• Regency F38 and FG38 supplied by Fireplace Products Australia Pty Ltd - natural gas models only. The F38/FG38 was branded and supplied by Masport prior to 2006.
• Nectre 2000 (manufactured from 2007) supplied by Glen Dimplex Australia Pty Ltd
• Real Flame Pyrotech (manufactured from 2012) also supplied by Glen Dimplex Australia Pty Ltd

Missing or ineffective RCDs can be shocking!

Residual current devices (RCDs) are compulsory life-saving switches that protect against electrocution by instantly stopping the electricity supply when they detect a fault, such as when a person receives an electric shock. Their rapid interrupt response is designed to protect you against electrocution, severe electrical injuries and electrical fires.

Electricity Regulations require all rental properties to be fitted with at least two RCDs protecting all power and lighting circuits in the house.

If you’re considering renting, check that at least two functioning RCDs are installed on the property’s switchboards before you enter into a tenancy agreement. If an RCD does not operate (or if there are none installed) inform the landlord or property manager right away. Faulty RCDs must be replaced immediately to comply with the law.

For more information, the RCD fact sheet is a great resource!

Bond lodgement failure is costly for landlords

Landlords and property managers are legally required to lodge bonds with the Bond Administrator within 14 days. “Landlords and property managers can face criminal convictions and fines of up to $20,000 if they violate these important aspects of tenancy law,” warns Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard.

On 21 March 2019 in the Perth Magistrates Court landlord Mark Alasdair Adam was convicted and fined $10,000 after failing to lodge tenant bonds from two separate tenants.

Coming soon: DMIRS Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey

As a user of the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) services (licensee, tenant, registered organisation, business or consumer), you may be contacted through an email from DMIRS and invited to take part in the 2019 DMIRS Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey. The survey is being run by Ipsos to help DMIRS measure its performance.