By Tamara Dalziel from Complete Property Centre rentals@completegroup.net.au

Commencing on the 1st of July, 2007, all homes in Queensland must have at least one smoke alarm installed.

If your home was built before the 1st of July, 1997, one 9 volt battery operated smoke alarm must be installed.

If your home was built after the 1st of July, 1997 there should be at least one 240 volt hard wired smoke alarm installed.  This should have been installed at the time of construction as a requirement under the Building Code of Australia.

Also, if any major renovations have been done on the property, this should have included the installation of a 240 volt hard wired smoke alarm.

A lessor or agents obligations are to test and clean each smoke alarm in the 30 days prior to the start of a new tenancy.  As standard procedure, Complete Property Centre attends to this matter at the time of completing the Entry Condition Report.

If notified by the tenant that a smoke alarm is not working, arrangements for the smoke alarm to be checked and then repaired or replaced by an electrician would need to be made.

The tenant is required by law to test and clean any smoke alarm in the property at lease once every 12 months.  They must replace batteries as required and advise the property manager or owner if a smoke alarm is not working.

For more information regarding smoke alarm regulations contact Complete Property Centre or the Queensland Fire and Rescue authority on 1300 369 003 or visit their website at www.fire.qld.gov.au