Gas safety in rental properties is a serious legal and moral responsibility for landlords and property managers in Western Australia. While WA does not yet have a mandatory gas safety certificate regime identical to some eastern states, landlords are still legally required to ensure that all gas appliances and fittings in their rental properties are safe and properly maintained. Failing to meet these obligations can result in significant legal liability, insurance complications, and most importantly, risk to the lives of tenants.
This guide explains what landlords and property managers in Rockingham and across Western Australia need to know about gas compliance for rental properties, including current legal requirements, best practice recommendations, and how to stay ahead of likely future regulatory changes.
Current Legal Requirements in Western Australia
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and the associated regulations, landlords in WA are required to provide and maintain rental properties in a reasonable state of repair and in a condition that does not present a hazard to the health or safety of tenants. This obligation explicitly includes gas appliances and gas fittings that are supplied as part of the property.
The Gas Standards Act 1972 and the Gas Standards (Gasfitting and Consumer Gas Installations) Regulations 1999 further require that all gas work, including installation, maintenance, and repair of gas appliances and fittings, must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter. It is illegal for unlicensed persons to perform gas work, and landlords who arrange for unlicensed work to be carried out on gas appliances or fittings can face penalties and will void any insurance coverage related to gas incidents.
Building Energy, the regulatory body that oversees gas safety in WA, requires that all gas installations comply with AS/NZS 5601 (Gas Installations) and that appliances are installed and maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications.
What Gas Appliances Need Compliance Checks
Every gas appliance and gas fitting provided as part of the rental property falls under the landlord’s compliance obligations. In a typical Rockingham rental property, this includes the following items.
Gas hot water systems are the most common gas appliance in rental properties and are subject to age-related deterioration of components including thermocouples, pilot assemblies, gas valves, and anode rods. A gas hot water system that is not regularly serviced can develop gas leaks, produce carbon monoxide, or fail in a way that creates a fire or explosion risk.
Gas stoves and cooktops require properly functioning burners, ignition systems, and gas supply connections. Flexible gas hoses that connect cooktops to bayonet fittings have a limited lifespan and must be replaced before they deteriorate and fail.
Gas space heaters are particularly important to check because they are often used in enclosed living areas where a gas leak or combustion problem poses an immediate health risk. Unflued gas heaters, which exhaust combustion products directly into the room, require adequate ventilation and regular servicing to ensure safe operation.
Gas bayonet fittings are the wall-mounted connection points used to supply gas to portable appliances. Even if no appliance is currently connected, bayonet fittings must have functioning safety caps and be free from damage or corrosion. A faulty bayonet fitting can leak gas continuously. Learn more about gas bayonet installation and maintenance.
Gas supply pipework including both the internal copper or steel pipe runs and any external pipework between the meter and the property must be free from leaks, corrosion, and damage.
Recommended Inspection Schedule for Rental Properties
While WA does not currently mandate a specific inspection interval for gas appliances in rental properties, best practice and industry standards recommend the following schedule.
Every 12 months, arrange a comprehensive gas safety inspection by a licensed gas fitter. This annual inspection should cover all gas appliances, connections, hoses, bayonet fittings, and visible pipework. The gas fitter should test for gas leaks using electronic detection equipment, check combustion performance of all appliances, verify adequate ventilation, and confirm that all safety devices are functioning correctly.
Every 24 months, or as specified by the manufacturer, arrange full servicing of gas hot water systems. This includes checking and replacing anode rods, cleaning burner assemblies, testing thermostats and safety valves, and flushing the tank if required.
Every 5 years, replace all flexible gas hoses. This is a maximum lifespan recommendation, and hoses should be replaced sooner if they show any signs of cracking, discolouration, or damage.
At every change of tenancy, conduct a gas safety check before new tenants move in. This protects both the incoming tenants and the landlord by establishing a baseline condition of all gas appliances.
Documentation and Record Keeping
Even though WA does not currently require a formal gas safety certificate, landlords and property managers should maintain thorough records of all gas-related maintenance and inspections. Proper documentation serves multiple purposes.
Legal protection. If a gas incident occurs, documented evidence of regular inspections and maintenance demonstrates that the landlord took reasonable steps to ensure safety. Without documentation, a landlord may struggle to defend against a negligence claim.
Insurance requirements. Most landlord insurance policies require that the property is maintained in a safe condition. Some insurers specifically ask about gas appliance maintenance. Documented servicing records help ensure that insurance claims are not denied on the basis of inadequate maintenance.
Tenancy disputes. If a tenant raises concerns about gas safety, documented inspection records provide evidence that the issue has been addressed professionally.
Request a written report from your gas fitter after every inspection and service. The report should include the date, the name and licence number of the gas fitter, a list of all appliances and fittings inspected, the results of any tests performed, and any recommendations for repairs or replacements.
Common Compliance Issues Found in Rockingham Rental Properties
Based on our experience servicing rental properties across Rockingham, Baldivis, Port Kennedy, Secret Harbour, and surrounding suburbs, the most common gas compliance issues we encounter include the following.
Expired or deteriorated flexible gas hoses. This is by far the most common issue. Many landlords are unaware that flexible hoses have a limited lifespan and need regular replacement. A burst or leaking flexi hose can release a significant volume of gas into the property in a short time. Read more about flexi hose risks and prevention.
Unserviced gas hot water systems. Gas hot water systems that have not been serviced for several years often have corroded anodes, deteriorating burner components, and potential gas leaks at connections. Regular servicing extends the life of the system and prevents unsafe conditions. Check our guide on hot water system maintenance.
Inadequate ventilation for gas heaters. Some older rental properties have gas heaters installed in rooms that do not meet current ventilation requirements. This is a carbon monoxide risk that must be addressed.
Missing or damaged bayonet safety caps. Bayonet fittings without safety caps or with damaged caps can leak gas even when no appliance is connected.
Unlicensed modifications. Previous owners or tenants may have made modifications to gas fittings or appliances without using a licensed gas fitter. These modifications may not comply with current standards and can be dangerous.
Future Regulatory Changes
There is a growing movement across Australia toward mandatory gas safety inspections for rental properties. Victoria introduced mandatory gas safety checks for rental properties in 2023, requiring landlords to arrange a gas safety check by a licensed gas fitter every two years. Queensland and other states are considering similar requirements.
It is widely expected that Western Australia will introduce similar mandatory requirements in the coming years. Landlords who are already conducting regular gas safety inspections will be well positioned to comply with any new regulations without disruption.
Tenant Responsibilities
While the primary responsibility for gas safety falls on the landlord, tenants also have obligations. Tenants must use gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, report any gas safety concerns to the landlord or property manager promptly, not tamper with or modify gas appliances or fittings, and provide reasonable access for gas safety inspections and maintenance.
Property managers should ensure that tenants are aware of the signs of a gas leak and the emergency steps to take if they suspect a leak. Including this information in the tenant welcome pack is a simple but potentially life-saving measure.
Protect Your Investment and Your Tenants
Gas compliance for rental properties is not just about meeting legal requirements. It is about protecting the lives of the people living in your property and protecting your investment from the financial and legal consequences of a gas incident.
Plumber Rockingham provides comprehensive gas fitting services for rental properties across Rockingham and all surrounding suburbs. We can conduct full gas safety inspections, service and repair all types of gas appliances, replace expired hoses and fittings, and provide detailed written reports for your records. Contact us to arrange a gas compliance inspection for your rental property.
