What Landlords Need To Know
From 1 January 2017, new rules for smoke alarms come into force in Queensland.
Landlords need to be aware of these changes. There are two key dates for smoke alarm upgrades – 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2022.
For existing dwellings, when replacing smoke alarms after 1 January 2017, photoelectric smoke alarms must be used. The existing requirements for testing smoke alarms prior to the commencement of a tenancy or any tenancy renewal remain.
More detailed rules apply from 1 January 2022. For any new or renewed tenancy, interconnected smoke alarms must be installed in each bedroom and hallway. Smoke alarms must be photoelectric, less than ten years old and not also contain an ionisation sensor. Smoke alarms must be hardwired or powered by a non-removable ten year battery.
Separate rules apply from 1 January 2017 to new dwellings and where dwellings are substantially renovated. Among other things, smoke alarms must be hardwired to the mains power supply with a secondary power source such as a battery.
A dwelling is considered to be substantially renovated if the building work is carried out under a building development approval for alterations to an existing building and the alterations (and any other approved or completed structural alterations in the past three years) represent more than half of the volume of the existing building.
Landlords of Queensland properties should audit their smoke alarms to ensure they remain up to date and comply with the new requirements.
Further details on the smoke alarm changes can be found here – QFES – Smoke Alarms.
PELEN
December 2016
© PELEN 2016
The content of this publication is intended to provide a general overview on matters which may be of interest. It is not intended to be comprehensive. It does not constitute advice in relation to particular circumstances nor does it constitute the provision of legal services, legal advice or financial product advice.