Gasfitter toolkit

The Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 (RTR) came into force on 29 March 2021. These regulations are administered by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

The RTR requires that in all residential tenancies a gas safety check of all gas installations and fittings on a premises is conducted every two years by a licensed or registered gasfitter who is endorsed in the specialised class of Type A gas appliances servicing work (Gas Serving Type A on the Plumbers Identity Card).

Note: Registered plumbers engaging in specialised classes of plumbing must be under the supervision of a person licensed in the specialised class.

The rental provider (previously referred to as the landlord) is required to ensure this has been carried out and keep records of safety checks.

Gas safety checklist

ESV has developed a gas safety checklist for use by gasfitters.

Gasfitter resources

• Gas safety checklist – online editable PDF form or hardcopy printable form
• Gas Heater Type A Appliance Service Report – online editable PDF form or hardcopy printable form
• Negative Pressure and Carbon Monoxide Spillage Test Report – online editable PDF form or hardcopy printable form
• ESV’s Type A Appliance Gasfitter toolkit (and COVID-19) safety advice
• FAQS on the gas safety checklist

What’s in a gas safety check?

In regards to the requirements, a gas safety check means:

(a) the following gas installation checks—

i. that LPG cylinders and associated gas components are installed correctly;

ii. that appliance gas isolation valves are installed where required by AS/NZS 5601.1 “Gas installations”, as published or amended from time to time;

iii. that gas appliances and their components are accessible for servicing and adjustment;

iv. that the gas installation is electrically safe;

v. that clearances from appliances to combustible surfaces are in accordance with installation instructions and AS/NZS5601.1 “Gas installations”, as published or amended from time to time;

vi. that there is adequate ventilation for appliances to operate safely;

vii. that gas appliances (including cookers) are adequately restrained from tipping over;

viii. checking the condition of gas appliance flue systems, including chimneys

ix. checking gas appliances for evidence of certification; and

(b) testing gas installations for leakage; and

(c) servicing gas appliances as follows—

i. a clean of all dust and debris from appliances including burner, pilot, fan, filters and air intakes;

ii. a check of the integrity of the heat exchanger;

iii. a check of the gas supply and appliance operating pressures;

iv. a check that the gas appliance burner ignition is reliable and complete;

v. a check for any gas appliance flame abnormality;

vi. a check of the operation of the gas appliance, including safety devices;

vii. a combustion spillage test in accordance with Appendix F of AS4575 “Gas appliances— Servicing of Type A appliances”, as published or amended from time to time, after service or repair of the heater.

Keep records

ESV recommends gasfitters keep a digital record of all Gas safety checklists provided to rental providers. This may be a screenshot from your computer or a photo of the hardcopy taken with your phone. These records should be kept securely.

More information

Read our FAQs about the gas safety checklist, and let us know if there are other questions that should be on that list, email us at gastechnicalenquiry@energysafe.vic.gov.au.

If you have specific questions about the new rental rule changes, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81 or via CAV’s online enquiry form.

If you have a gas technical query, contact our Gas technical helpline directly on 1800 652 563, option 3 or by email at gastechnicalenquiry@energysafe.vic.gov.au.