Queensland Rental Property Smoke Alarm Legislations Changes
In 2017 brand-new legislation came into impact in Queensland requiring all smoke alarms in rental proprieties Qld to be photoelectric by 2022. Photoelectric smoke alarms discover noticeable particles of combustion. They respond to a wide variety of fires but are especially responsive to smoldering fires and thick smoke.
Changes to the smoke detector legislation will affect each of Queensland’s estimated 550,000 rental residential or commercial properties by 2022.
Residential Or Commercial Property Managers Queensland.
As a property owner, it is imperative that you protect your possession and as a property owner, it is a legal requirement that you meet smoke alarm standards. Queensland has the most rigid legislation in Australia regarding smoke detectors in rental residential or commercial properties QLD.
What does this mean for you?
New legislation needs that owners with smoke alarms in rental properties throughout Queensland upgrade the alarms to photoelectric.
They should also:
- Be less than 10 years old.
- Run when checked.
- Be adjoined with every other smoke alarm in the home so all activate together.
- Be either tough-wired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery.
Where do the smoke detector in rental homes Qld need to be?
- Smoke alarms need to be set up on each level of your home.
- They must be found in hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the residence.
- If there are no hallways, they must be situated between all bedrooms and other parts of the level.
- If there are no bedrooms on a level at least one smoke alarm need to be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
- There MUST be a smoke detector in EVERY bedroom.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFRS) research found that only 20% of Queensland families had a smoke alarm in their main bedroom, despite new legislation stating that all properties must have adjoined photoelectric smoke alarms in rental homes in all bedrooms by 2022 and owner-occupied residential or commercial properties by 2027.
Where possible smoke detector should be put on the ceiling and can not be:
- Within 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall.
- Inside 300mm of a light fitting.
- Within 400mm of a cooling vent.
- Inside 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan.
The Rental Tenancy Authority (RTA) also needs all home managers/owners to:
- Test and clean smoke alarms and replace any flat or nearly flat batteries within 30 days before the start or renewal of an occupancy.
- Not get rid of a smoke detector or a battery (aside from changing it), or do anything to decrease the effectiveness of the alarm e.g. paint it.
As a tenant, it is likewise your duty to:
- Routinely test and tidy (by vacuuming or cleaning) smoke alarms. You should do this every 12 months.
Change any flat or almost flat batteries (if you are uncertain how to do this safely please call your Property Manager). - Call the residential or commercial property owner/manager if there is any problem with the alarm (apart from batteries).
- Permit the property owner/manager’s right of entry to set up smoke alarms.
- Not get rid of a smoke alarm or the battery (other than to replace it), or do anything to reduce the effectiveness of the alarm e.g. paint or cover it.
Owners of rental homes can carry out the above tasks themselves. If you are not sure how to clean or check your smoke detector provide a certified technician a call.
If you are concerned or need more info relating to the legal changes please contact Paul Hill Hope Island, Property Managers Gold Coast.
If you’re looking at buying your next home or investment property Paul Hill Realty Hope Island can help you.
Paul Hill Realty are Specialists in Residential Property Management on the Northern Gold Coast from Southport to Ormeau and west to Wongawallan. However, know the complete South Eastern Qld area well so can list any property in South East Qld.
Get in touch with one of the Paul Hill Realty Hope Island experienced property managers by calling 07 5577 1888.
*Credit for image and some information supplied by Safe Home Services
