All Rental Property Owners in Queensland are responsible to ensure that their property is fitted with working smoke alarms, this rule became effective as per Fire and Rescue Service Amendment Act 2006 and has been law since 1st July 2007, the owners are responsible for the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms in all rental properties. The law is that all rental property owners must ensure that they and their property are compliant and that they test and clean each smoke alarm within 30 days prior to the start of a tenancy and within 30 days prior to a tenancy renewal. The rental property owner must also replace each battery in the smoke alarm that is flat or almost flat within 30 days prior to the start of a new tenancy or tenancy renewal.
The smoke alarms need to be replaced before it reaches the end of its useful life (immediately), this could be a rather difficult task for owners that have several rental properties, however there are companies that promote and provide this service for a reasonable annual fee – this taking the time away from and making the task more cost effective for the property owners who will also provide a compliance report on completion of each service for the owner. In general the service company will make several calls to the property to ensure that all items are adhered to during the term of any tenancy.
Being non compliant at any time can cost the property owner a hefty fine and jeopardise their building and contents insurance.
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