Owners and managers of rental properties have been scrambling to get properties compliant with new QLD smoke alarm legislation before it takes effect in 2022. Now extra rules for properties being sold after 31 December 2021 are bringing more pressure. Are you up to speed?
What’s new for RENTAL properties?
Here’s a quick refresher on the new compliance rules for properties being rented or re-leased in QLD from 1 January 2022.
From 1 January 2022, before a new tenancy begins, an existing tenancy renews or the property is sold, smoke alarms in Queensland homes must be upgraded to meet the requirements of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990. This means:
- All smoke alarms must be either hardwired 240-volt photoelectric alarms or powered by 10-year lithium batteries
- Alarms must be installed in every bedroom, in all hallways or areas connecting bedrooms to the rest of the dwelling, and there must be at least one on each storey in the most likely path of exit
- All smoke alarms must be interconnected with each other.
Those are the basics, but the legislation contains more details about standards and placement. Read our summary here.
(If you’re not already on top of it, you’re legally exposed from 1 January 2022. Sort it out with our 2022 smoke alarm upgrade offer ASAP.)
What’s new for properties being SOLD?
On top of the existing legislation for rental properties, rules apply for properties sold after 31 December 2021.
Smoke alarms must be installed according to the same guidelines set out for rental properties – hardwired into the mains power supply or fitted with 10-year batteries, interconnected with each other and installed in specific locations, as well as meeting other detailed specifications.
In addition, from 31 December 2021, sellers who are putting their property up for sale, need to make sure that the smoke alarms have been upgraded in line with the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990. Compliant smoke alarms must be in place before the seller enters into a sale agreement and be able to provide proof of upgrade status at settlement.
Along with the usual terms like satisfactory building and pest inspections, smoke alarm compliance is set to become a normal expectation in residential sales, and failure to comply could compromise a contract.
Properties may not be re-leased, rented or sold from 1 January 2022 if they’re non-compliant. Owners and managers will be left legally exposed if there’s an incident at a property where the smoke alarms don’t meet standards.
What are your responsibilities?
If you’re a property owner who is planning to sell soon, you need to ensure the smoke alarms will be compliant with the new legislation. In addition, you should be armed with a certificate of compliance to assure the buyer that the smoke alarms are recently serviced and properly installed in accordance with the rules.
Sales agents have a responsibility to make their clients aware of the changes, assist them to make properties compliant and produce documentation to demonstrate it.
Fast turnaround and no deposit
There’s a lot of boxes to tick when renting out a property, and even more when selling! Detector Inspector makes smoke alarm compliance one less thing you have to worry about.
As one of the longest-established compliance companies in Australia we’ve been all over the legislation changes since they were first announced, and we have a solution up and running.
For owners requiring 2022 smoke alarm upgrade compliance certification prior to selling their home, we offer a free, accelerated installation with 7-day turnaround.
Plus everything is digitally recorded and stored in our industry-leading automated system. This means detailed record keeping to show you’ve done everything right, with zero admin input from you.
Don’t delay! Get sorted today
If you’re a seller, have you got a plan to get your property compliant by 31 December 2021?
If you’re a sales agent, have you informed sellers of their new responsibilities regarding smoke alarms? Are you confident you know what they are?
If you’re a property manager, have you informed your clients of the legislation changes regarding leased and re-leased properties in writing and created a system for maintaining compliance?
If you’re not sure, make sure. Detector Inspector is here to help you understand the ins and outs, get properties compliant and keep you covered under the new legislation. Our comprehensive solution will take care of everything.
