Rental electrical compliance in WA: RCDs and smoke alarms explained

By Elysium Electrical Contractors | Licence EC 16523 | Last checked 24 October 2026

If you own or manage a rental in Western Australia, two electrical safety items come up again and again: RCDs and smoke alarms. This guide sets out what the official WA rules say, in plain English, with a link to the source for each point.

RCDs (safety switches)

An RCD is a switch in the switchboard that cuts the power quickly if there is an earth leakage fault, such as damaged wiring or a faulty appliance.

What the rules require for a rental

• Rented homes must have at least two RCDs protecting the final sub-circuits to socket outlets and lighting. [1]
• Each RCD may protect no more than three final sub-circuits. If there are two or more lighting circuits, they must be split between the RCDs. [1]
• Two is the minimum. More than two may be needed. [2]
• The same requirement applies to short-term rental accommodation, and RCDs must be installed before guests stay. [2]
• The landlord must make sure the RCDs are installed in the switchboard. [2]
• For these existing-home requirements, the law does not require RCDs on the circuits for hard-wired appliances. Installations built after 1 January 2019 must meet AS/NZS 3000:2018, which does require RCD protection on all final sub-circuits. [1]

Testing

Building and Energy strongly recommends testing RCDs every three months by pressing the test button on the front. If it works, it will switch off and the power to that circuit will be lost. If an RCD does not operate, tell the landlord or property manager. It should be replaced immediately by a licensed electrical contractor. [3]

If a tenant says the RCDs are missing

The official process is: [3]

1. The tenant asks the landlord or property manager to have them installed.
2. If that does not happen, the tenant sends a written request and keeps a copy.
3. If they are still not installed within a reasonable time, the tenant sends Building and Energy a copy of the letter, a copy of the rental agreement and a photo of the main switchboard.
4. Building and Energy inspects the property.
5. If RCDs are required, an Order is issued to the owner, who must then arrange for them to be installed.

Smoke alarms

Under the Building Regulations 2012, smoke alarms in a dwelling that is rented or hired must: [4]

• be installed in line with the Building Code of Australia that applied when they were installed
• be not more than 10 years old, and not past their expiry date
• be in working order
• be permanently connected to the mains power supply

Where is the date? Building and Energy says the manufacture date or the expiry date should be marked on the alarm. If it is more than 10 years old, or you cannot find the date, it is time to replace it. [5]

Battery alarms. A battery powered alarm is only permitted where there is no hidden space to run the wiring for a mains powered alarm, for example a concrete ceiling or a flat roof with no ceiling space. In that case it must have a 10-year life battery that cannot be removed. [4]

Interconnection. Where there is more than one alarm in a dwelling, the Building Code requires them to be interconnected. This is not required for a dwelling built on a building permit applied for before 1 May 2015. [4]

Who does the work. A licensed electrical contractor is required to connect or disconnect mains powered smoke alarms. [4]

Who is responsible. The owner or lessor is responsible for maintaining the alarms, not the tenant. [4][5] Local governments can take enforcement action under the Building Act 2011 where compliant alarms are not installed or maintained. [4]

Type. Alarms must comply with Australian Standard AS 3786. Both photoelectric and ionisation alarms comply. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services recommends photoelectric alarms. [4]

A practical checklist for property managers

This is our suggestion, not an official list.

• Count the RCDs in the switchboard and press each test button.
• Check every smoke alarm for a manufacture or expiry date. Replace any that are past it or have no date.
• Confirm each alarm is mains connected and working.
• Keep a photo of the switchboard and a note of each alarm date with the tenancy file.