The Plan? Smoke Alarms save lives........

Smoke alarms save lives, its really as simple as that.

When it comes to ensuring the safety of your tenants and your most valuable asset why risk it?

 

Every year we send a timely reminder to our clients regarding compliance and smoke alarms.

 

Winter is here and that means an increase in risk for your property.

We all know how important it is to have a working Smoke Alarm but did you know it's actually the law?

 

Stay with me here.....

 

In NSW Landlords are responsible for: (per NSW Fair trading website)

• checking smoke alarms every year to ensure they are working
• install or replace removable batteries every year (or, for lithium batteries, in the period specified by the smoke alarm manufacturer)
• replace smoke alarms within 10 years of manufacture, or earlier if specified by the smoke alarm manufacturer
• give the tenant at least two business days' notice to inspect or assess the need for a smoke alarm repair or replacement
• give the tenant at least one hour notice to carry out a repair or replacement of a smoke alarm
• use a licensed electrician to repair or replace a hard-wired smoke alarm.

 

The above may not apply to properties in a Strata Scheme if:

• The smoke alarms are hardwired, or they are battery operated and the owners corporation is responsible for the repair and replacement of smoke alarms. 
• The landlord has advised the tenant in writing that the owners corporation is responsible for the repair and replacement of smoke alarms situated in the residential premises.
• The landlord notifies the owners corporation within 24 hours of becoming aware that a repair or replacement is needed.
• The landlord takes reasonable steps to ensure the repair or replacement of the smoke alarm is done.

 

As an agent we are required to encourage you to manage the smoke alarms in your investment in line with the above and the best way to do this is to engage a suitably qualified contractor to attend your property each year and do the annual checks. 

Peace of mind is key.

 

If you're not sure if your agent is managing compliance in regards to smoke alarms in your investment property - check in with them and ask them when the last annual check was done....if it hasn't been done in the last 12 mths it may be time to think about if your property is being managed correctly.

 

Safety first :)