Risks of missing the new smoke alarm legislation deadline

A little bit over three months or just 66 working days - that's how long property managers and landlords have left to upgrade the smoke alarms in their rental properties before the 2022 legislation is here.

From the first new lease or lease renewal next year, smoke alarms in Queensland rental properties must meet strict new requirements. Landlords will be risking their rental income as properties become illegal to rent out if smoke alarms are left non-compliant.

Insurances may also become void as most product disclosure statements have clauses stating properties must comply with local government or other statutory requirements at all times.

Smoke Alarm Solutions has seen a steady increase in smoke alarm upgrades as we approach the 2022 deadline. Smoke Alarm Solutions' research indicates that only 35 per cent of properties have 2022 compliant smoke alarms. This means there are still hundreds of thousands of properties that still need to have their smoke alarms upgraded.

The current industry wait time for a 2022 smoke alarm upgrade request is four to six weeks. In addition, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to stock challenges that are causing smoke alarm supply shortages across Queensland.

There is a real possibility that wait times will blow out even further as demand increases for smoke alarm providers. There is no time left to wait - property managers should be booking in their rent rolls now to be upgraded.

With wait times expected to be long with reputable providers, landlords may be tempted to choose a company who has a faster turnaround. If a company has a shorter turnaround, property managers should be asking them why, as this could be a red flag.

Smoke Alarm Solutions continues to warn against using inexperienced providers who don't know the intricacies of the 2022 smoke alarm legislation. Last month, Smoke Alarm Solutions found approximately 25 per cent of properties they attended where an attempt to upgrade to 2022 requirements had been carried out by a third party were non-compliant.

Smoke Alarm Solutions encounters many reasons for non-compliance - the most common one being smoke alarms installed in incorrect locations. Smoke alarms must be positioned at certain distances from fans, air conditioners, light fittings and walls.

This is just one of the many finer details that non-reputable providers may miss - potentially amounting to masses of non-compliant properties in the Queensland rental market. To ensure your landlords don't get caught out with a non-compliant property, it is best to book in your 2022 upgrades with a trusted smoke alarm provider.

Smoke Alarm Solutions are the experts in smoke alarm legislation and compliance. With the largest field team in the industry, we have the capacity and are ready to meet the demand for 2022 smoke alarm upgrades. Visit the Smoke Alarm Solutions website here to get an instant 2022 quote to upgrade your property with Emerald Alarms.

Smoke Alarm Solutions is Australia's leading provider of smoke alarm services to the real estate industry and is a trusted partner of the REIQ. Contact Smoke Alarm Solutions today at 1300 852 301 or email info@smokealarmsolutions.com.au to find out how they can provide a cost-effective and user-friendly solution to remove the liability and stress surrounding such an imperative and intricate set of guidelines involved with smoke alarm compliance. Don't leave compliance up to chance. Ensure you deal with the experts.