Smoke Alarm
New legislation as set out in the Fire and Emergency Service (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Act 2016, requires Queensland landlords to ensure a higher level of safety in their rental properties.
These new requirements to be in place by 1st January 2022, necessitate the following additional measures, over and above the standards set out in the Fire and Rescue Services Amendment Act 2006 and are as follows:
- Smoke alarms must be installed in every bedroom of a home
- All smoke alarms must be powered by either 240 volt or 10 year lithium battery
- All smoke alarms must be interconnected to each other
- All smoke alarms must be photoelectric rather than ionisation
At Q Pro Realty we ensure our rental properties are compliant through 1300 Smoke Alarms. Please download the following resources to ensure you are aware of your requirements as a Landlord.
Blind and Curtain Cords
Blind and curtain cords are a strangulation hazard to children, as they may become entangled in them while trying to use, or play around window coverings. Even with raised coverings, children can climb onto window sills or furniture and easily access cords. Cords can also strangle infants sleeping or playing in cots placed near windows where cords are within reach or hanging into cots.
The Trade Practices Mandatory Safety Standards as part of the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard – Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010 mandates all owners / landlords to comply from 1 July 2011.
On 28th March 2014, the safety standard that covers the installation services of window coverings was created and came into effect on 1st January 2015.
- Lessors are obliged to ensure a rental property is in a good state of repair and fit for the tenant to live in.
- The greatest risk is with a looped cords hanging low enough to be within reach of children. It is possible for children to strangle themselves by putting their head into the loop and then falling or spinning to the point where they cannot escape the danger. There is potential for blind cords to form a loop even if they are not manufactured as a looped cord.
- The Office of Fair Trading recommends the bottom of any blind cord is at least 160cm above the floor level.
- Complies with the Australian Standard AS 3786-1993 or has the Standards Australia Mark or is Scientific Services Laboratory (SSL) certified
- Any blinds that were installed prior to compliance regulations or do not comply can be made safe by either cutting the cords or hooking them up out of harm’s way.
Please check the government requirement here: Blind and Curtain Cords
Pools and Spas
The Building Act 1975 Section 8 mandates all owners/landlords to ensure their pool barrier continuously meets the pool safety requirements from 1 December 2010. A current pool safety certificate must be in place before the commencement of a new lease, or a lease renewal. In addition to the pool safety certificate, the pool barrier must at all times meet the requirements.
There are over 100 different checks that need to be performed. The most common include:
- Gate must self-close from all positions from almost closed to fully open
- The barrier must be a minimum of 1200mm high from permanent ground level
- All gaps must be smaller than 100mm including under the fence, under the gate, and between fence panels
- The resuscitation chart must be viewable from anywhere within the pool area (two or more charts may be required to achieve this)
- There must be a 900mm non-climb zone around the entire fence
- Outdoor furniture and pot plants must be outside of that non-climb zone
Please check the government requirement here: Pools and Safety