Minimum Security Standards
Residential tenancy laws in Western Australia have always required lessors to provide and maintain locks or other devices to ensure rental premises are 'reasonably secure'. Minimum levels of security standards have now been defined and your rental property must meet these standards.
These security measures include:
• Main entry door – either a deadlock or a key-lockable screen door to Australian Standard AS 5039-2008.
• All other external doors (excluding balcony doors where there is no access to the balcony except from inside
the premises) – a deadlock or, if a deadlock cannot be fitted, a patio bolt lock or a key lockable security
screen to Australian Standard AS 5039-2008.
• Exterior windows (excluding windows fitted with security grilles to Australian standard AS 5039-2008, windows
on, or above the second floor of the building and where the window is not easily accessible from outside the
premises) – must be fitted with a lock that prevents the window from being opened from outside.
Does not have to be a key lock.
• Main entry light – an electrical light that can illuminate the main entry to the premises must be fitted to or
near the exterior of the premises and be operable from inside the premises.
A deadlock is defined by reference to Australian Standards as, ”A bolt that is not actuated by a spring. When locked the bolt cannot be returned by end pressure”. Exclusions apply, including residential premises that are on the Register of Heritage Places, and land zoned for agricultural or rural use under a local planning scheme.
The requirement for a light at the main entry does not apply if a strata company is responsible for the lighting to the main entry. For commercial reasons, you may want to provide additional security measures. For example, if you choose to have keyed window locks or a security alarm it will improve the value of the property and may help you retain tenants.