This guide reflects the supplied August 2026 research. Check the linked regulator guidance for the latest requirements for your property.
| Check | Frequency | Who may perform it | Standard | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke alarm | Tested at least every 12 months | Rental provider maintains; tenant checks/replaces the battery | - | |
| Electrical | Only referenced as an urgent-repair duty; no periodic regime confirmed | - | - | |
| Gas | Only referenced as an urgent-repair duty; no periodic regime confirmed | - | - |
Leased ACT dwellings are widely reported to require smoke alarms complying with AS 3786, the Australian Standard for smoke alarms, following a 2017 legislative amendment - confirm the exact current wording with the ACT regulator before relying on it. What the ACT Government's own tenancy guidance directly confirms: the rental provider must keep any installed alarm correctly installed, in working condition, fitted with batteries, and tested at least once every 12 months. Alarms should be placed on each storey, including corridors associated with bedrooms. The tenant is responsible for checking and replacing the battery.
Electrical and gas safety are only referenced in ACT Government guidance in the context of urgent repairs (a gas leak or dangerous electrical fault must be fixed urgently); no periodic mandatory safety-check regime comparable to Victoria's was confirmed.
Own a Melbourne rental from the ACT?
My Safe Home services metro Melbourne. If you're an interstate owner of a Victorian rental property, see our Victoria compliance guide for the rules that actually apply to your property.