SAFETY COMPLIANCE DATE ALMOST HERE

ELECTRICAL, GAS & BLIND CORD SAFETY MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES

By March 29, 2023, rental providers were required to meet the electrical safety rental minimum standards. These standards include ensuring modern-style switchboards with circuit breakers and safety switches are installed by a qualified electrician, along with the issuing of a compliance certificate.

Rental providers are also now required to ensure gas safety checks are conducted every two years by a licensed or registered gasfitter. These checks must include the servicing of all Type A Gas Appliances in accordance with Australian Standard AS4575, and a record of work must be provided for each appliance serviced.

The next requirement rental providers need to turn their attention to is blind cord safety.

DECEMBER 1, 2025: BLIND CORD SAFETY DEADLINE

New regulations will soon come into effect requiring all corded internal window coverings in Victorian rental properties to be made safe by December 1, 2025.

Corded blinds and curtains pose a significant safety risk to young children, with over 21 tragic deaths in Australia recorded since 2001 due to unsecured cords. These cords can easily become deadly loops that cause strangulation when left loose.

What Rental Providers Must Do:

Anchor or tension all corded internal window coverings using a compliant safety device
This rule applies to all rental properties with no exceptions
Older curtains and blinds must be checked, and new ones must be installed with safety-compliant designs

Order Your Free Safety Kit

To support compliance, Consumer Affairs Victoria offers free safety kits that:

Include five plastic devices with screws and installation instructions
Are suitable for roller blinds with looped cords and wooden window frames
Can be ordered online by Victorian rental providers

ORDER YOUR BLIND SAFETY KIT HERE

Alternatively, safety kits can be purchased at most hardware stores. Renters do not need landlord permission to install them.

How to Install Blind Cord Safety Kits:

Pull the cord through the device
Pull down until tight and secure
Screw the device into the window frame

Use one device per cord. If you're unsure, seek professional help.

CHECK YOUR BLINDS TODAY

Safety tension devices have been mandatory for new installations since 2010, but older blinds still pose a risk. When replacing or installing new blinds: