Smoke Alarm Legislation Changes for Rental Properties in Queensland

Summary of Changes that affect every Queensland Landlord.

By 1st January 2022, smoke alarms in every Queensland rental property must be:

Installed in every bedroom of the property
Must be 240v hardwired or 10 year lithium alarms – 9v alarms will not be allowed
Must be photoelectric alarms – ionisation alarms (the most common form of alarm) will not be allowed
Must be interconnected so that if one alarms sounds, they all do

For most landlords, this will mean that every current smoke alarm must be replaced and new ones installed – as very few rental properties have interconnected, photoelectric alarms inside bedrooms. Depending on the number of bedrooms and storeys in the property this could cost between $500 – $2,000.

Current Legislation

New smoke alarm laws commenced on 1st January 2017 and apply to every residential rental property in Queensland.

The existing landlord’s obligations regarding the installation and testing of smoke alarms (within 30 days prior to every new lease renewal and lease change) continue.

How many smoke alarms are required?

The minimum legal requirement is that:

In hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or
If there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and
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

Where practicable smoke alarms must be placed on the ceiling. Smoke alarms must not be placed:

Within 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall
Within 300mm of a light fitting
Within 400mm of an air-conditioning vent
Within 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan

What type of smoke alarms are required?

When replacing smoke alarms, they must be of a photoelectric type and must comply with Australian Standard (AS) 3786-2014.

Additional Requirements

Smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced

Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately

Existing hard wired smoke alarms that need replacement must be replaced with a hardwired smoke alarm

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Rental Properties – Queensland

New Legislation

From 1st January 2022

HOW MANY SMOKE ALARMS ARE REQUIRED?

Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey:

In every bedroom
In hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or
If there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and
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

Where practicable smoke alarms must be placed on the ceiling. Smoke alarms must not be placed:

Within 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall
Within 300mm of a light fitting
Within 400mm of an air-conditioning vent
Within 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan

If impractical for the prescribed location requirements to be met (e.g. may be affected by steam from shower or fumes from cooking), the owner may put the alarm at another location that will provide a warning to occupants of the dwelling.

WHAT TYPE OF SMOKE ALARMS ARE REQUIRED?

Smoke alarms must be of a photoelectric and must comply with Australian Standard (AS) 3786-2014

Smoke alarms must be either hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10 year battery

Smoke alarms must not contain an ionisation sensor

Smoke alarms must be less than 10 years old

Smoke alarms must operate when tested

All smoke alarms must be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so they all activate together.