What tenants need to know about smoke alarm maintenance in rental properties

Working smoke alarms or detectors are compulsory in all rental homes. Using tenancy services as a reliable source of information, here’s what you need to know.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of smoke alarms?

Both landlords and tenants share this responsibility as follows: 

Landlords must ensure smoke alarms:

• are working at the start of each new tenancy,
• remain in working order during the tenancy

Tenants must:

• not damage, remove, or disconnect a smoke alarm,
• replace dead batteries during the tenancy if there are older-style smoke alarms with replaceable batteries,
• let the landlord know if there are any problems with the smoke alarms as soon as possible,

What else should you know about smoke alarms?

• Smoke alarms must be installed within 3 metres of each bedroom door, or in every room where a person sleeps, in each level or story of a multi-story or multi-level home in all rental homes, boarding houses, rental caravans, and self-contained sleep-outs.
• All new smoke alarms must be photoelectric, have a battery life of at least eight years, or be hard-wired, installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and meet international standards.
• Existing smoke alarms do not need to be replaced if they are working, and have not passed the expiry date.

Penalties

• If landlords don’t meet their obligations, they could face financial penalties of up to $4,000.
• If tenants don’t meet their obligations they could face financial penalties of up to $3,000.

If you have any queries about the smoke alarms in your rental home, talk to your landlord or to the property manager of your rental.