Renter’s responsibilities
It is a renter’s duty, or responsibility, to not remove, deactivate or interfere with any of the following safety devices located at the rental property, unless it is reasonable to do so [section 63A]:
- Smoke alarms
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Residual current devices (circuit breakers)
- Swimming pool barriers
- Fire sprinkler systems, fire hose reels, fire blankets, fire extinguishers, fire windows and fire hydrants
- Security cameras located in a common area
- Any emergency lighting
- Hot-water safety devices [regulation 25]
Note that all the sections in brackets on this page, such as [section 3], refer to Victoria’s Residential Tenancies Act 1997. References in brackets to regulations and schedules, such as [regulation 25], are to the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021. See the bottom of this page for links to all of these.
Reporting safety device issues
Renters should report safety devices needing repairs or maintenance to the rental provider (landlord) in writing as soon as possible [sections 62 and 72AA]. Anything that makes the property unsafe or unsecure must be treated by the rental provider as an urgent repair [section 3].
Consumer Affairs Victoria’s standard form rental agreement (lease), for agreements started from 29 March 2021, specifies that renters must give written notice to the rental provider as soon as possible if either of the following are not working:
- A smoke alarm
- A swimming pool barrier
See our page, Repairs and maintenance for more information getting repairs done.
Relocatable swimming pools
If you want to erect a relocatable pool under the new standard form rental agreement, which applied from 29 March 2021, you must first give the rental provider written notice and get all necessary approvals [section 27C].
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has more information on relocatable pools and spas.