Smoke Alarm Legislation Qld – Changes Affecting Landlords

Changes to Qld Smoke Alarm Legislation – in force from January 2022.

In January 2017, the Queensland Government announced an overhaul to smoke alarm installation legislation. The changes are to be implemented across 3 phases, and over the 10 years that they are phased in, every single domestic dwelling in Queensland will be affected.

Although the focus of the legislation was to introduce the law that all smoke alarms must be interconnected, there are other upgrades and requirements too. Being “interconnected” means that when one alarm is triggered, they will all activate, giving all occupants an additional measure of safety.

If you are a homeowner, a renter, or a tenant, these changes will inevitably affect you in some way. Today, we focus on the changes from the perspective of landlords and tenants and answer some common questions about the new legislation.

Do Landlords Have To Provide Smoke Alarms?

Yes, they sure do. The first phase of the legislation introduced in 2017 requires that landlords provide smoke alarms in their properties, and the smoke alarms must also comply with the new legislation.

Also, a landlord must clean and test all smoke alarms in a property within the 30 days prior to a new tenant moves in.

What are the Legal Requirements for Smoke Alarms in Rental Property?

From 1 January 2022, the new laws become mandatory for all domestic dwellings that are leased or sold. This means that all landlords must upgrade the smoke alarms in their rental properties to become compliant.

To be compliant with the new laws, smoke alarms must satisfy the following specifications and installation requirements:

Be installed on each storey and in every bedroom and hallway of a home
Be photoelectric and comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014
Must not also contain an ionisation sensor; and
Be less than 10 years old; and

Operate when tested; and
Be interconnected with every other ‘required’ smoke alarm in the dwelling, so all alarms activate together.
Must be either a hardwired (e.g. 240v) or non-removable 10-year battery-powered type alarm.

The placement of each smoke alarm has very specific requirements, and these also differ for stairways, ceilings that have exposed beams and ceilings that are sloping. It is also important for them to be installed considering the kitchen and ventilation of a house to prevent accidental alarms or “nuisance” alarms.

Do Smoke Alarms Need To Be Hard Wired in Qld?

In Queensland, all new constructions must have hardwired 240-volt smoke alarms or be fitted with a 10-year non-removable battery. If they are hardwired, they must also be installed by a licenced electrician.

From 1 January 2022, all existing smoke alarms must be upgraded to be:

Interconnected and,
either hardwired or fitted with a 10-year non-removable tamper-proof battery

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Smoke Alarm?

The cost of installing or upgrading your smoke alarms to be compliant with the new legislation will vary from home to home. The number of alarms, accessibility and placement of each alarm will affect the final quote.

We recommend that you give the team at Power Trip a call to discuss your rental property, and we can recommend the most cost-effective solution for you.

How Often Should I Test My Smoke Alarms?

As a landlord, you must test all smoke alarms in a property within 30 days of your new tenant moving in.

During a tenancy, it is the tenant’s responsibility to test and clean each smoke alarm in the home at least once every 12 months.

You do not have to be a licenced electrician to test a smoke alarm. It is a simple procedure where the tenant (or landlord if it is before a new tenancy) simply presses the “test” button or, as stated in the instruction manual of the alarm.

Do you have to have a Smoke Alarm Compliance Certificate in Qld?

The new laws are very specific in what is required in rental properties for smoke alarms. Because the floorplan and architectural features can differ widely from home to home, ensuring that all legal requirements are met can be difficult and confusing. Therefore, it can be more convenient and less expensive to have a professional plan and install your smoke alarm configuration.

Also, although it is not required by Queensland law, many real estate agents and insurance companies do require a Smoke Alarm Compliance Certificate to verify that a property’s smoke alarms are correctly installed and maintained. In fact, many insurance companies will deny claims for fire-related incidents if the certificate is not provided.