If something electrical fails in your rental
Make it safe
If there's a burning smell, sparks, or someone's had a shock, call 000. Otherwise switch off at the main switch if it's safe to reach, or unplug the appliance.
Tell the rental provider in writing
Report the fault to your agent or landlord straight away and keep a copy. A faulty smoke alarm counts as an urgent repair in a Victorian rental.
Ask for the last safety check
You can ask in writing for the record of the most recent electrical safety check, and the rental provider has 7 days to give it to you.
Leave the wiring alone
Don't open the switchboard or a fitting yourself, even to have a look. Energy Safe Victoria says doing your own electrical work is illegal, and it can be deadly.
Footscray in numbers and history
Mostly rented
4,123 of 7,370 occupied homes (55.9%) were rented in 2021, about double the Victorian rate of 28.5%.
Apartments over half
52.3% of homes were flats or apartments, and Jemena expects relatively high demand growth from new high-rise homes and offices in the Footscray Central Activities District.
Timber workers' housing
The Maribyrnong Heritage Review describes the older streets as timber Victorian and Edwardian workers' housing. In the Old Footscray Township precinct, 89 of 94 places are contributory.
Jemena's network
Footscray East and Footscray West zone substations feed the area. Outages and fallen lines go to Jemena on 131 626.
For Footscray landlords
From 13 October 2026, the 2-yearly electrical safety check applies to every Victorian rental. Since 25 November 2025, a property also has to meet the minimum standards, electrical safety included, at the time it's advertised.
In an old weatherboard, meeting that standard can mean a new switchboard, because outlets and lighting circuits need circuit breakers and safety switches and some fuse boards can't be adapted. In an apartment, check what your lot actually owns before booking anyone, since the main board may belong to the owners corporation.
What we'd do
Landlords: book the safety check before you advertise, not after a renter asks, and fix everything it finds in one go. Renters: put every electrical fault in writing and keep the replies. If a fault keeps coming back, ask for the safety check record, because it shows what was found last time.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.