TENANT INFORMATION GUIDE FOR TENANTS (VIC) | Page 22

Renting a home Gas appliance safety Tenants’ responsibilities Landlords’ responsibilities Tenants also have responsibilities, including to immediately report any gas appliance fault to the landlord or agent. If you are a tenant, make sure you are satisfied that any gas appliance is operating safely. If you are concerned about the safety of a gas heater, contact your landlord and ask for it to be tested. Before you sign a lease, you may consider requesting a condition/clause be added requiring the landlord to undertake to have any gas appliances checked and certified safe every two years. Landlords must ensure that rented premises are maintained in good repair. This includes ensuring that all gas appliances provided by the landlord, such as heaters and stoves, are safe to use and properly maintained. All installation and maintenance of a gas fitting or fixture should be done by a licensed gas fitter. Failing to ensure gas appliances are safe to use or properly maintained can result in death, serious injury or considerable property damage. Energy Safe Victoria recommends gas heaters and water heaters are serviced every two years. Gas leak danger Professional servicing of gas appliances is necessary because carbon monoxide leaks are hard to detect. The poisonous gas is tasteless, colourless and odourless. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include tiredness, shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Fixing a gas leak qualifies as an urgent repair and a landlord or owner must respond immediately to the tenant’s request for repairs. If a landlord or owner is not contactable or does not respond immediately, you can authorise an urgent repair of up to $1800 and the landlord or owner must reimburse you. 22 To minimise gas safety risks: • use appliances appropriately and in accordance with the instructions • report any fault or malfunction to your landlord or agent • immediately stop using any appliance that is obviously faulty • allow reasonable access for gas safety checks • do not illegally install, remove or tamper with any gas appliance. The landlord/agent and the tenant should work together to ensure that a safety check is done at agreed intervals – which Energy Safe Victoria recommends should be every two years. For more advice on general gas safety in the home, visit esv.vic.gov.au.