Are you an agent or property manager? If so, there are many smoke alarm responsibilities you may not be aware of that you hold.
By January 2027, anyone selling a property must meet new criteria. It’s important to remain aware of these points, so you can ensure the alarms in the properties you oversee meet them.. It’s important to remain aware of these points, so you can ensure the alarms in the properties you oversee meet them. At DC Smoke Services, we stay up to date with the latest laws and regulations regarding property. Our team has provided you with an in depth guide. This covers everything from general responsibilities, to how these can be simply achieved. With DC Smoke Services and our partner, Homey Connect, rest assured—it’s simpler than you think.
See how you can do this below:
In 2017, the Queensland Government introduced new laws placing stricter, stringent requirements on domestic smoke alarms. This came after Queensland experienced an incident with the highest loss of life from a home fire, during the Slacks Creek 2011 house fire that claimed 11 lives.
From January 2022 these laws have come into effect for sold and leased properties, adding more comprehensive installation requirements for dwellings. Ultimately, the legal liability and responsibility for these requirements are on the Landlord or the Owner of the Property. However, as a professional in the Real Estate and Property industry you probably already know that many residential property owners are confused with who is responsible and may assume the buck falls to you. Don’t worry, we’re here to make your life easier.
Need more information to answer the question “how do these alarms protect our homes?” Unlike ionisation smoke alarms that ‘smell’ smoke, photoelectric smoke alarms ‘see’ smoke with its sensor.
Our experts at DC Smoke have broken this down for you below.
How photoelectric smoke alarms detect smoke:
This is a general summary for your understanding:
As a real estate agent, you’re not liable for failure for compliance. The responsibility for properties on the market is on the property owner. However, as an agent working on your client’s behalf, it’s good customer service to let your client know and look out for their interests.
Here’s what you need to be aware of when it comes to 2022 smoke alarm compliance in Queensland and how to stay on top.
1. Communicate with Your Client (Property Seller) About these Laws
Make sure your client knows of their requirements to comply with the 2022 Queensland Government’s legislation on smoke alarms, and the consequences if they don’t meet these obligations within 30 days before the sale.
Your client must also disclose in writing in the ‘Form 24’ (QLD transfer of Title Form) and the Contract of Sale to the buyer that compliant smoke alarms have been installed (or not installed).
As their agent, you can offer to oversee these requirements for them and contract the task out to an electrician professional like DC Smoke to undertake the inspections and installations to meet these compliance codes over doing it yourself. In the case that you and the seller choose this route, you can request a service directly through our contact details or at the touch of a button through our app. They (your client) pays you, and we confirm the scheduled services with them. At the end of the service, you both receive a Certificate of Testing and Compliance as proof of the work and compliance, which you can keep with your digital documentation as part of your internal processes. If your client/the seller has any more questions, refer them to speak with their lawyer or conveyancer.
2. Communicate with the buyer about the alarms
As a professional also dealing in talks with buyers, it’s also important that you share the state of alarm compliance of the property to them and their right to arrange an inspection of their own should they choose to.
After an upgraded smoke alarm installation or an inspection with a licensed smoke alarm electrician, the compliance certificate will also become useful in communicating that these requirements have been met to your property buyer.
3. Certificate required before selling the property:
A certificate of testing and compliance must be present for 240V hardwired smoke alarms and these alarms must be installed and inspected by an electrician. You can use DC Smoke as your chosen professional to help meet these requirements: call 1300 268 905 or set up Homey Connect to be able to manage and automate these compliance requirements seamlessly across all the properties in your portfolio.
We understand that keeping up with the latest pre-sale requirements can be tough. Which is why, many Real Estate Agents turn to Homey Connect as their trusted partner.
The innovative application can deliver peace of mind regarding your property compliance. This platform allows property managers and real estate agents to get in touch with industry leading and qualified tradies swiftly.
If you have further questions, or concerns, contact our friendly team at DC Smoke Alarms or from the Homey app. We can walk you through the application step by step.
How To: Using Homey Connect
At DC Smoke, we’re about partnering with agents like you to streamline your property compliance requirements and ensure safer homes in Queensland. We’re proud to serve and fulfil this role in Queensland’s property market. If you want to learn more about how DC Smoke (and our partner app Homey Connect) can assist you to make your job easier when it comes to compliance please contact us at 1300 268 905.
What if a Smoke Alarm Fails?
If a smoke alarm fails, it must be replaced with an interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm that meets the latest Queensland smoke alarm legislation. This is crucial to ensure ongoing fire safety and compliance.
