Landlords risk rental income if they miss smoke alarm deadline
FROM 1 January 2022, interconnected smoke alarms in residential rental properties must be installed and landlords who miss this legislation deadline will be risking their rental income.
Under the Smoke Alarm Legislation, landlords must replace all smoke alarms in a dwelling, regardless of its age, with a compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm, that complies with AS 3786–2014 by January 1.
The Queensland Government declares any landlord not compliant by this date “will not be legally able to rent their property”.
>> READ MORE: ATO ISSUES 2021 GUIDE FOR RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS
Properties with non-compliant smoke alarms will not be able to be legally rented out from the first new lease or lease renewal next year and insurances may also become void as properties must comply with local government or other statutory requirements at all times as part of most product disclosure statements.
According to REIQ, four to six weeks is the current industry wait time for a 2022 smoke alarm upgrade request and Queensland is experiencing smoke alarm supply shortages due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is a real possibility that wait times will blow out even further as demand increases for smoke alarm providers. There is no time left to wait,” the peak Queensland real estate body said.
>> READ MORE: QUEENSLAND’S RENTAL LAW REFORM PROGRESSES
Landlords are being warned to choose a reputable provider and be wary of dodgy traders that may try to take advantage of the new requirements.
Smoke alarms must be positioned at certain distances from fans, air conditioners, light fittings and walls and units installed in incorrect locations is a reason for non-compliance.
Landlords can protect themselves by knowing the requirements for their residential rental property from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
REIQ is urging landlords to book their 2022 upgrades with a trusted smoke alarm provider to avoid being left with a non-compliant property come January 1.
At Baileux, we use Smoke Alarms Australia, the longest-running specialist in smoke alarm compliance with more than 1.7 million smoke alarms services completed since 2005.
