Safety takes centre stage in rentals, with smoke alarms playing an essential role in safeguarding occupants. Understanding the responsibilities of both landlords and tenants is essential to creating a secure living environment that complies with Australian Standards and the Building Code of Australia.
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The Importance of Having Smoke Alarms in Rental Properties
A working smoke alarm at a rental property is paramount while complying with Australian Safety Standards and the Building Code of Australia. The smoke alarm must be clean, have working batteries and be regularly tested by owners and tenants.
Proper installation of smoke alarms is crucial for their effectiveness. As a general rule, smoke alarms must be installed on every storey of a dwelling, including the basement.
For maximum protection, consider installing interconnected smoke alarms. When one alarm detects smoke, all alarms in the system will sound, providing early warning no matter where the fire starts.
It’s important to note that smoke alarms can be either battery-operated or hardwired. While battery-operated smoke alarms are easier to install, a hardwired smoke alarm provides an extra layer of reliability as they’re connected to the property’s electrical system (with battery backup).
Smoke Alarms in the Residential Tenancy Agreement
Landlords in Ensuring Safety:
- Installation with Notice: Landlords can access rented premises to install smoke alarms. However, they must provide tenants with at least two days’ notice before doing so, respecting their privacy.
- Provision and Maintenance: It’s the landlord’s responsibility to provide and install smoke alarms, ensuring the safety of their tenants. Alarms should be checked once per calendar year.
- Maintenance of ‘hard-wired’ systems: Landlords are also responsible for repairing or replacing batteries in ‘hard-wired’ smoke alarm systems equipped with battery backup, preventing protection gaps.
- Alarm Relocation: Except during replacement or maintenance, landlords should never remove or relocate smoke alarms.
- Documentation: The condition report and tenancy agreement specifically refers to smoke alarms. This enables tenants and landlords to document the presence of smoke alarms at the start and end of the tenancy period, ensuring clarity and transparency.
Tenant’s contribution to Safety:
- Battery Maintenance: Tenants are responsible for maintaining battery-powered smoke alarms by cleaning, testing, and replacing batteries.
- Alarm Preservation: Tenants should never tamper with, remove, or relocate smoke alarms or interfere with their warning signals.
- Battery Replacement: Tenants are only permitted to remove batteries if they replace them.
- Reporting Issues: In cases where a tenant is physically unable to change the battery, they must promptly notify the landlord of the need for replacement once they are aware of the issue, ensuring that any deficiencies are addressed promptly.
- By embracing these responsibilities, landlords and tenants collaborate to create a safe and compliant living environment in rental properties, nurturing a sense of security for everyone involved.
How to Maintain Smoke Alarms
A smoke alarm is only as good as its maintenance routine. Regular upkeep is essential to ensure these devices are ready to perform when needed. Here’s a comprehensive maintenance checklist:
- Test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
- Replace batteries in battery-operated smoke alarms at least once a year. Many people choose to do this when daylight saving time changes as an easy reminder.
- For smoke alarms with non-removable lithium batteries, replace the entire unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean smoke alarms regularly to prevent dust build-up, which can interfere with their operation. Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner attachment to gently remove dust from the exterior and vents.
- Check the manufacture date on your smoke alarms. Most manufacturers recommend replacing smoke alarms every 10 years, regardless of their apparent condition.
- Ensure that nothing is obstructing the smoke alarm, such as paint, stickers, or dirt.
- For hardwired smoke alarms, check that the power indicator light is on. If it’s not, the alarm may not be receiving power and should be inspected by a licensed electrician.
Remember, smoke alarm maintenance is not just about compliance—it’s about ensuring the safety of tenants and protecting valuable property. Regular maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of false alarms and ensure the device functions correctly in the event of a fire.
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Detector Inspector Smoke Alarm Services
Detector Inspector provides annual smoke detector servicing and maintenance for property owners, utilising industry-leading technology to ensure their property is protected and compliant.
The price for Detector Inspector’s services is $119, including GST
How Leah Jay Works with Detector Inspector
At Leah Jay, we understand that proper smoke alarm maintenance can be time-consuming for property owners. That’s why we’ve partnered with Detector Inspector, Australia’s leading smoke alarm compliance and maintenance services provider.
Detector Inspector offers comprehensive smoke alarm services that go beyond basic compliance. Their trained professionals conduct thorough inspections, testing, and maintenance of smoke alarms to ensure they’re in perfect working order. This partnership allows us to offer our clients:
Annual Compliance Inspections: Detector Inspector conducts yearly inspections to ensure all smoke alarms in your property meet current Australian standards and legislative requirements.
Professional Installation and Replacement: When new alarms are needed or existing ones reach the end of their lifespan, Detector Inspector handles the installation of high-quality, compliant smoke alarms. They will also repair or replace smoke alarms if required.
Detailed Reporting: After each inspection, you’ll receive a comprehensive report detailing the status of your smoke alarms and any actions taken or recommended.
24/7 Tenant Support: Detector Inspector provides round-the-clock support for tenants, promptly addressing any smoke alarm issues to ensure continuous protection.
Proactive Maintenance: Rather than waiting for issues to arise, Detector Inspector’s proactive approach helps prevent problems before they occur, potentially saving lives and protecting property.
By working closely with Detector Inspector, Leah Jay ensures that all smoke alarms in our managed properties are not just compliant, but optimally functional.
Key Takeaways
- Smoke alarms are crucial for ensuring safety in rental properties in NSW, and their installation and maintenance must comply with Australian Standards and the Building Code of Australia, with responsibilities shared between landlords and tenants.
- Landlords are responsible for providing, installing, and maintaining hardwired smoke alarms, while tenants must maintain battery-powered alarms, report issues promptly, and never tamper with or relocate alarms.
- Regular smoke alarm maintenance, including monthly testing, battery replacement, cleaning, and replacement every 10 years, is essential to ensure proper functioning and reduce false alarms.
- Leah Jay partners with Detector Inspector to provide comprehensive smoke alarm compliance and maintenance services, including annual inspections, professional installation and replacement, detailed reporting, 24/7 tenant support, and proactive maintenance, ensuring optimum functionality and safety in managed properties.
Work with the Property Management Experts
Our partnership with Detector Inspector underscores Leah Jay’s commitment to going above and beyond to ensure the safety and compliance of our properties. It’s part of our comprehensive approach to property management, where we prioritise the well-being of tenants and the protection of our clients’ investments.
Leah Jay is the most awarded in NSW, operating for over three decades. Focused solely on property management, Leah Jay achieves the fundamentals exceptionally and with transparency.
Whether you’re a landlord or a renter, if you’re looking for an award-winning property manager to work with, contact Leah Jay. Leah Jay is an expert team of property managers and would be happy to assist you with all leasing and property management queries. Contact the team here.
