New safety switch regulations for rental accommodation

A new regulation will come into effect on 1 March 2008 requiring owners of domestic rental accommodation in Queensland to install a safety switch in all properties that do not currently have one.

The safety switch must be installed by a licensed electrical contractor.

The new regulation ensures people in rental properties have the same protection from electric shock that homeowners have enjoyed since the installation of safety switches became a requirement in all new homes in 1992.

This was extended in September 2002 to require the installation of safety switches within three months of the sale of a domestic residence constructed prior to 1992.

The introduction of the laws has meant that Queenslanders are protected from injury or death when coming into contact with electricity.

Safety switches can save lives by detecting electrical faults when they occur, by disconnecting the electricity before enough current has passed through a person to cause harm.

More information on safety switches and domestic rental properties.