Perth Gas Safety Inspections for Landlords
Perth, Western Australia landlords must understand state and municipal expectations for gas appliance safety in rental properties. This guide summarises who enforces gasfitting standards, how inspections and repairs are arranged, and practical steps landlords should take to reduce risk and meet obligations. It references Western Australian primary sources and City of Perth guidance current as of February 2026.
Who is responsible
The primary regulator for gasfitting and gas appliance safety in Western Australia is EnergySafety within the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety; local councils, including the City of Perth, handle property-level compliance and building approvals for installations EnergySafety gasfitting guidance[1]. The Gas Standards Act 1972 and associated regulations set technical and licensing requirements for gasfitters Gas Standards Act 1972[2]. The City of Perth publishes rental and building advice and enforces local requirements for works and approvals City of Perth licences and permits[3].
Routine inspections and timing
- Arrange inspections whenever a new gas appliance is installed or when tenancy changes occur.
- Use licensed gasfitters for servicing and safety checks; unlicensed work is prohibited under state law.
- There is no single statewide mandatory periodic inspection interval for all rental properties stated on the cited pages; check EnergySafety guidance and City of Perth requirements for property-specific advice EnergySafety gasfitting guidance[1].
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement responsibility is shared: EnergySafety enforces gasfitting licensing, technical standards and may prosecute unsafe work; the City of Perth enforces local building and planning approvals for installations. Where the city identifies unsafe installations it may issue notices and require rectification; EnergySafety may take licensing action or prosecution under the Gas Standards Act 1972 Gas Standards Act 1972[2].
- Monetary fines: specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited EnergySafety and City of Perth pages; see the Gas Standards Act and local penalty schedules for exact figures, or contact the enforcing agency for current penalties EnergySafety gasfitting guidance[1].
- Escalation: the cited pages do not provide a detailed first/repeat/continuing offences schedule; enforcement may progress from compliance notices to prosecution if non-compliance continues City of Perth licences and permits[3].
- Non-monetary sanctions: improvement or prohibition notices, orders to disconnect or remediate appliances, suspension or cancellation of gasfitter licences and court action are enforcement tools referenced by regulators or implied by the controlling legislation.
- Inspection and complaint pathways: report unsafe gasfitting to EnergySafety and to the City of Perth compliance team using the official contact pages cited below.
- Appeals and reviews: formal appeals and reviews for licensing decisions or enforcement notices may be available; specific time limits are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with the enforcing authority.
- Defences and discretion: regulators exercise discretion and standard legal defences may apply (reasonable excuse, compliance steps taken); specific statutory defences are not listed on the cited pages.
Applications & Forms
Licensing forms and technical guidance for gasfitters are provided by EnergySafety; the cited EnergySafety page points to licensing and gasfitting documentation but does not list a single consolidated form number on that page. For building approvals or work permits required by the City of Perth, refer to the City of Perth licences and permits pages for application forms and fee schedules EnergySafety gasfitting guidance[1] and City of Perth licences and permits[3].
Practical compliance steps for landlords
- Engage a licensed gasfitter to inspect and certify new installations before tenancy begins.
- Keep written records of inspections, certificates and repairs for tenant and regulator queries.
- Respond promptly to tenant reports of gas smells, pilot outages or appliance faults and arrange immediate inspection.
- Budget for regular servicing and any required upgrades to meet current standards.
FAQ
- Who can carry out gas safety inspections?
- Only licensed gasfitters authorised under Western Australian legislation should carry out gas safety inspections and repairs.
- Do I need to provide tenants with a gas safety certificate?
- Provide tenants with evidence of inspection or certification when appliances are installed or when requested; specific certificate types are set out in EnergySafety guidance.
- What if my tenant smells gas?
- Advise them to turn off the appliance, ventilate the area, avoid using electrical switches and contact a licensed gasfitter immediately and, if there is an emergency, call emergency services.
How-To
- Identify all gas appliances and note installation dates and any manufacturer recommended service intervals.
- Engage a licensed gasfitter to perform a safety inspection and provide written confirmation or certificate.
- Retain inspection records and share relevant certificates with incoming tenants.
- If a fault or non-compliance is found, arrange remediation promptly and confirm completion in writing with the gasfitter.
- If you receive a compliance notice, follow the notice requirements and contact the issuing agency for clarification or to lodge an appeal within any stated time limit.
Key Takeaways
- Engage licensed gasfitters for safety, repairs and certification.
- Keep and provide records of inspections to tenants and regulators.
- Report unsafe work or appliances to EnergySafety and the City of Perth promptly.
Help and Support / Resources
- EnergySafety - Gasfitting and licensing
- Gas Standards Act 1972 (Western Australia)
- City of Perth - Licences and permits
- City of Perth - Contact and compliance