Electrical Safety Certificate in Perth: What Sellers Must Know
An electrical safety certificate is something every Perth seller hears about, usually with some confusion about what the law actually requires. The truth is that WA law is about installing safety devices before settlement, and an electrical safety certificate is the proof that the work was done. Here is what sellers really need to know.
What WA law actually requires When you sell a home in WA, the law, under the Electricity Regulations and Building Regulations, requires that the property has at least two RCD safety switches and compliant mains-powered smoke alarms before settlement. The obligation is to install these devices, not specifically to hand the buyer a certificate. That distinction trips a lot of sellers up.
So what is an electrical safety certificate? An electrical safety certificate is a document a licensed electrician issues after inspecting and confirming the property meets these requirements. While WA law does not force the seller to provide one, getting an electrical safety certificate is the smart way to prove compliance, reassure the buyer, and avoid disputes at settlement.
6 things every seller should know
- At least two RCDs must protect all power and lighting circuits
- Mains-powered smoke alarms under 10 years old are required
- The work must be done by a licensed electrician
- The obligation is to install the devices before settlement
- An electrical safety certificate proves the work was done
- Penalties for non-compliance can be significant
Why get one even though it is not mandatory Buyers and settlement agents increasingly ask for evidence of compliance, and a clause requiring it is common in offers. An electrical safety certificate gives the buyer confidence, keeps settlement on track, and protects you from a later claim that the devices were not installed. It is cheap insurance against a costly dispute.
What happens if you do not comply If RCDs or smoke alarms are not installed, the sale can be delayed, and Building and Energy can investigate after settlement. Penalties of up to $15,000, and far more for corporations, can apply. A buyer who discovers non-compliance after moving in can also pursue the seller for the cost of putting it right.
The demolition exemption There is one key exception. If the buyer intends to demolish the home within six months, the seller may be exempt from installing RCDs and smoke alarms, provided the buyer gives written notice before settlement. Outside that narrow case, the devices must be installed before the sale completes.
How to get sorted before settlement The simplest path is to have a licensed electrician inspect the property early, install or repair any RCDs and smoke alarms needed, and issue an electrical safety certificate. Doing it early avoids a settlement-day scramble. The state’s Building and Energy RCD requirements explains the requirements in full.
Selling vs renting The same core duties apply whether you are selling or renting out a home: compliant RCDs and mains-powered smoke alarms installed by a licensed electrician. Landlords carry these duties at the start of every new tenancy, so the inspection is just as relevant for investors as for sellers.
What an electrician checks During the inspection, the electrician confirms there are at least two safety switches protecting all the circuits, tests that they trip correctly, checks the smoke alarms are mains-powered and under 10 years old, and fixes or installs anything missing. Only then is the paperwork issued.
How much does it cost? An inspection and the paperwork is modest, and the bigger variable is any rectification, adding safety switches or replacing alarms, if the home is not already compliant. Older homes with an original fuse box are the most likely to need work, which is worth knowing before you list.
Selling a home in Perth and need it compliant?
ACS Electrical inspects, installs RCDs and smoke alarms, and issues your electrical safety certificate across the metro. Explore our RCD requirements, smoke alarm requirements or pre-purchase electrical inspection.
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