WA smoke alarm and RCD rules for sales and rentals
The RCD rules are in Part IV of the Electricity Regulations 1947, which started on 9 August 2009 and took in short-term rental accommodation from 1 July 2024. The smoke alarm rules are in regulations 55 to 62 of the Building Regulations 2012.
What each situation needs
What each situation needs
| Situation | Smoke alarms | RCDs (safety switches) | Who's responsible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selling | Compliant when ownership transfers | Properly installed before the title is transferred | The seller. If it isn't done, the buyer must do it (RCDs within 2 months, smoke alarms within 12) and can recover the cost |
| Renting out (residential tenancy) | Compliant before the tenant is entitled to move in, then maintained for the tenancy | Properly installed before entering into a new tenancy agreement | The owner (landlord). Tenants change easy-to-reach 9-volt batteries and should test RCDs every three months |
| Holiday home or short-stay let | Compliant before guests are entitled to stay, then maintained | Properly installed before the home is made available as short-term rental accommodation | The owner |
From the Electricity Regulations 1947 Part IV, the Building Regulations 2012 regs 55–62, Building and Energy and Consumer Protection WA, checked 5 October 2026.
What counts as compliant smoke alarms
- Installed to the Building Code that applied when they were put in
- Not past the expiry date or, if there's none, installed less than 10 years ago
- In working order
- Permanently connected to mains power, unless there's no hidden space for the wiring and no suitable other spot, when a non-removable 10-year battery alarm is allowed
- Interconnected where the Building Code needs it
Building and Energy notes that alarms powered through a home security system may not comply, because some security systems can be unplugged at the power point.
What counts as properly installed RCDs
- At least two RCDs where the home has more than one circuit, and more where needed
- Every circuit supplying power points and lights is protected
- No RCD protects more than three circuits, and the lighting is split between them
- Rated at 30 mA and fitted at the switchboard where the circuits start
Test each RCD every three months, or more often if the manufacturer's instructions say so. See Building and Energy's RCD safety switches page. For installation and testing, see smoke alarms and RCD testing in Busselton.
Common questions
Who can install smoke alarms and RCDs?
Only a licensed electrical contractor can connect or disconnect mains-powered smoke alarms or install RCDs. Owners and tenants can press the test buttons, and a tenant changes a 9-volt battery where the alarm is easy to reach.
What are the penalties?
The Electricity Regulations set fines of up to $15,000 for an individual for missing RCDs, with a $1,000 infringement notice. The Building Regulations set fines of up to $5,000 for missing smoke alarms, also with a $1,000 infringement notice.
Where these rules come from
The rules on this page come from these published pages, checked on 5 October 2026.
- Electricity Regulations 1947, Part IV (residual current devices) · Parliamentary Counsel's Office WA (WA legislation), version 07-l0-00, current from 14 May 2026
- Building Regulations 2012, Part 8 Division 3 (smoke alarms), regs 55–62 · Parliamentary Counsel's Office WA (WA legislation), version 04-ab0-00, as at 1 May 2026
- Building and Energy: RCD safety switches · WA Government, Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (Building and Energy), updated 2 July 2026
- Building and Energy: smoke alarm laws for homes being sold, rented and hired · WA Government, Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (Building and Energy), updated 26 November 2024
- Consumer Protection WA: rental home safety · WA Government, Consumer Protection, updated 13 November 2025
- DFES: smoke alarms · Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA, no page date shown
