Landlord’s Risks of Missing the New Smoke Alarm Legislation Deadline
Landlords and Property Managers have a little over 3 months left to upgrade the smoke alarms in their rental properties before the 2022 legislation is here. The deadline is 1 January 2022.
From the first new lease or lease renewal next year, smoke alarms in Queensland rental properties must meet new requirements.
Landlords will be risking their rental income as properties become illegal to rent out if smoke alarms are left non-compliant. Insurances may also become void as most product disclosure statements have clauses stating properties must comply with local government or other statutory requirements at all times.
There is a real possibility that wait times for new smoke alarms will further increase as demand rises for smoke alarm providers. There is no time left to wait, Landlords and Property Managers should have new smoke alarms installed by now.
As a reminder, these are the requirements for new smoke alarms. They must:
- Be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014)
- Not also contain an ionisation sensor
- Be less than 10 years old
- Operate when tested
- Be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together
- Be either hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery
Additionally, the upgraded smoke alarms must be installed:
- On each storey
- In each bedroom
- In hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
- If there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey
- If there are no bedrooms on a storey at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling
To ensure you don’t get caught out with a non-compliant property, it is best to book in your 2022 upgrades with a trusted smoke alarm provider.
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