Customer Obligations

Owner Occupier

All existing private homes, townhouses and units require interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027. All registered caravans and motorhomes must also be fitted with a photoelectric smoke alarm.

 

Landlord

Within 30 days before the start of a tenancy, the lessor/landlord must test and clean each smoke alarm in the home.

Some real estate agents may outsource smoke alarm maintenance to another company with associated fees paid by the landlord. The real estate may request a "certificate of compliance" from these companies as proof of service. This is not a legal requirement but may be part of the real estate agent's internal process.

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Landlords can be issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) by the Queensland Fires and Emergency Services for non-compliance. The penalty of up to five penalty units, or $774 applies. The Queensland Police Service can also pursue charges.

 

Renter

As a renter or tenant, landlords are responsible for the installation of smoke alarms that comply with legislation.

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During a tenancy, the renter must test and clean each smoke alarm in the home, at least once every 12 months.

 

To test a smoke alarm, press the ‘test’ button. Cleaning should be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which is usually vacuuming.

 

You do not need to be qualified or licensed to clean or test a domestic smoke alarm.

 

Building or Renovating

As part of a building approval process, requiring a Building Certifier, all new homes and renovations should have the required smoke alarms installed in line with the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) formally known as Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the Building Regulation 2006.

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Selling or Leasing

Buyers can claim 0.15% of the property’s sale price if the seller doesn’t install compliant smoke alarms before the property is exchanged. The buyer must arrange for the installation to be completed immediately after settlement.

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All homes or units being sold, will require photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms.

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The obligations on property sellers are triggered by the date the initial sale contract is signed.

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When a contract of sale is signed after 31/12/2021, the seller is obligated to upgrade the dwelling to the updated interconnected domestic smoke alarm standard prior to the dwelling being transferred.

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The property seller must declare on a “form 24” to the buyer as part of the transfer process that this obligation has been discharged. A “form 24” is a standard compliance statement that should be provided by conveyancer. Hardwired interconnected smoke alarms installed by a licensed electrician require a Certificate of testing and compliance which is issued in accordance with s227 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 for installations of hardwired smoke alarms.

 

Caravans and Motorhomes

From 1 July 2024, all caravans or motorhomes whose Queensland registration is commencing or being transferred must have a photoelectric smoke alarm installed on the ceiling.

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From 1 January 2027, all other Queensland registered caravans and motorhomes must have a photoelectric smoke alarm installed. Queensland Fire Department (QFD) recommends unregistered caravans and motorhomes, as well as mobile homes, have a working smoke alarm installed to give occupants early warning of fire.