Landlord responsibilities for smoke alarms

As a property investor, it is imperative that you realise your compliance obligations and responsibilities for smoke alarms in rental properties. These standards are not just legislation that you are required to comply with, but will also ensure the protection and safety of your tenant whilst they reside in your property.

Smoke alarm legislation has evolved over time, it's really important to understand your duties as a landlord for smoke alarms. Watch this video as Joanne Danckwardt gives a brief overview on what the smoke alarm compliance is for your property and how you can adhere to your responsibilities as a landlord for smoke alarm compliance and keep your tenant safe.

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Smoke alarms compliance is a key consideration for renting out your property. Below is an overview of how to ensure your properties are compliant with the current regulations.

From 23 March 2020, important changes were made to the NSW Tenancy Legislation. NSW landlords need to ensure that smoke alarms installed in rented properties are in working order. If a smoke alarm is not in working order, the landlord ensure the alarm is repaired, including replacing a battery, within 2 business days.

Every year, the landlord must check that the smoke alarm in working. The landlord must also ensure:

• The smoke alarm is replaced within 10 years of manufacture, or earlier if specified.
• The batteries are installed or replaced every year. For lithium batteries they must be replaced in the period specified by the manufacturer.

Two business days’ notice must be given to the tenant to inspect or assess the need for smoke alarm replace or replacement. For repair or replacement of the smoke alarm, at least one hours’ notice must be given to the tenant.

We strongly recommend making use of a third-party company to assist with the management of smoke alarm compliance in rental properties. These third-party companies are qualified electricians, and they offer effective servicing programs that will protect your property and keep residents safe against the risk of fire. This makes smoke alarm compliance easy and provides peace of mind, and ensures that you as a landlord meet your duty of care to your tenants, and remain compliant with legislation. Offering a third-party company for smoke alarm compliance is a sign that your property manager cares for you right.  It is an ideal question for you to ask your property manager to see if they utilise third party companies to assist with this important piece of compliance and safety.

NSW Fire promote the message that smoke alarm and batteries should be checked and maintained when you change your clocks for daylight saving time changes. If you make use of third-party company to manage your smoke alarm compliance in your rental property, they will schedule and manage an annual check. On top of that, they will complete a smoke alarm check for the start of every new tenancy. We request that all our tenants advise of any issues or concerns with their smoke alarm, and the third-party smoke alarm company will arrange to send electricians to the property to ensure the smoke alarm is in working order.

If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence.

YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST

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