Gas Safety Check Victoria Rental Property: The Two-Year Rule for Landlords

If your Victorian rental is connected to reticulated gas or piped LP gas, a licensed gasfitter must inspect the property every two years. The obligation has been in force since 29 March 2021 for new, renewed, or converted tenancies, and since 13 October 2026 it covers every active tenancy — including legacy leases that started before the 2021 reforms.

What a Gas Safety Check Covers

The licensed gasfitter runs a series of tests across all gas installations in the property:

• Carbon monoxide (CO) spillage testing on every gas appliance — heaters, cooktops, hot water units, and any flued appliance.
• Flue clearance verification to confirm exhaust gases vent safely outside the building.
• Line pressure testing on the gas supply to detect leaks or pressure drops.
• Appliance burner audits to check flame quality, ignition, and thermocouple operation.

If the gasfitter identifies an unsafe appliance, they have statutory authority under Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) guidelines to isolate the appliance, cap the gas line, and issue a warning tag. Rectifying an isolated gas appliance counts as an urgent repair under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 — you cannot leave it until the next scheduled maintenance cycle.

The Pre-Draughtproofing Gas Check (Section 68C)

This catches landlords off guard more than almost any other rule. Under Section 68C of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, you must complete a gas safety check before implementing any draught-sealing measures on a gas-connected property. That includes weather stripping around doors and windows, chimney dampers, and gap-sealing products.

The reason is straightforward: sealing up a property with open-flued gas appliances can restrict ventilation and cause toxic carbon monoxide to accumulate indoors. The gas check confirms that the existing appliances will still operate safely once the draughtproofing is in place.

Skipping this check carries the heaviest penalty in the minimum standards framework — up to 150 penalty units, which is $31,365 for an individual in the 2026–27 financial year.

The Records You Must Keep

A general trade receipt doesn't satisfy the compliance requirement. You need a Gas Safety Check Report that documents the CO pressure test figures, flue clearance results, and the condition of every gas appliance inspected. If you've had draughtproofing done, you also need the Section 68C Draughtproofing Clearance Certificate as a separate document.

Retain safety-check records for at least five years (or until two subsequent inspection cycles have passed) under the Residential Tenancies Regulations. If these documents form part of the Section 65F evidence that the property met minimum standards before advertising and move-in, retain them for at least seven years. Consumer Affairs Victoria can demand them, and failing to produce Section 65F records is a separate offence carrying up to 60 penalty units ($12,546).

Properties Without Gas

If the property has no gas connection — no gas cooktop, no gas hot water, no gas heating — the two-yearly gas check doesn't apply. All-electric properties only need the electrical safety check and the annual smoke alarm test. If you're unsure whether a gas supply or appliance remains connected, ask a licensed gasfitter to confirm whether the check applies.

Scheduling and Cost

Independent gasfitters typically charge around $150 for a two-yearly gas safety check. Some landlords combine the gas and electrical checks into a single visit by booking a dual-trade service, which can reduce callout fees.

Set a calendar reminder 23 months after each check so you have time to book the gasfitter before two years have passed since the last check.

The Rental Minimum Standards in Victoria guide includes a multi-year compliance calendar that tracks gas, electrical, smoke alarm, and pool barrier deadlines together, plus a trade qualification verification sheet so you can confirm your gasfitter's ESV licence before booking.

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