Smoke alarms
Rental homes have needed interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms since 1 January 2022 (Queensland Government). Every Queensland home must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027 (Queensland Government smoke alarms).
The main rules for the alarms themselves:
- Alarms must meet AS 3786:2014 and must not contain an ionisation sensor
- Alarms go in every bedroom, in hallways that connect bedrooms, and on every level (buying smoke alarms)
- Compliant alarms are hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery
- Alarms must be less than 10 years old
- Hardwired alarms must be installed by a licensed electrician, and a hardwired alarm must be replaced with a hardwired alarm
There are testing duties as well. Landlords must test smoke alarms within 30 days before a tenancy starts, and tenants test and clean them at least every 12 months (Residential Tenancies Authority).
Between tenancies is a good time to check the age and location of every alarm in the house, and to book any replacements or additions while the rooms are empty. See smoke alarms for the work P4 does.
Safety switches
Rental homes need safety switches on power point circuits within 90 days after a tenancy starts (ESO frequently asked questions). Only a licensed electrician can install a safety switch.
The Electrical Safety Office suggests safety switches on all circuits and testing them every three months. If the board has none, only covers some circuits, or has no room for more, see switchboard upgrades.
Repairs worth doing while the house is empty
An empty house makes small electrical jobs quicker, because there is no furniture to move and no tenant to work around. Jobs worth looking at:
- Cracked, loose or scorched power points and switches
- Lights that don't work, flicker or buzz
- Outdoor lights and weatherproof power points that have suffered in the weather
- Ceiling fans that wobble, make noise or have stopped
- An oven, cooktop or rangehood that needs replacing, including the hardwired connection
- The electrical side of a hot water replacement
- A safety switch that has been tripping, or a circuit that has gone dead
A walk-through with a notepad before you book helps. Note each problem, which room it is in, and anything the outgoing tenant reported. P4 can then quote the list as one visit rather than several.
EV chargers in rentals
Tenants need approval from the owner or property manager before an EV charger is installed in a rental (Residential Tenancies Authority). A hardwired, wall-mounted EV charger must be installed by a licensed electrician. If an owner is open to adding one, between tenancies is the time to do it. See EV chargers.
Tenants and repairs
Electrical work in Queensland must be done by a licensed electrician, and DIY electrical work is illegal. That applies to tenants and owners alike, including replacing a broken power point or light switch. Tenants should report electrical problems to the property manager rather than fix them.
Booking it in
P4 works Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. After-hours work can't be promised. Booking ahead of the vacancy, rather than on the day the keys come back, gives us more room to fit the work into the gap.
When you book, tell us:
- The address and how we get in
- The list of jobs, with photos if you have them
- Who approves the quote
- Where the paperwork should go
Every job is quoted before it starts. When the work is done you get an invoice and a certificate for the electrical work, sent to whoever you name.
Want the whole place looked over?
Jamie does electrical safety audits, so ask if you'd like a property looked over as a whole. Most of the work is the specific jobs on your list. See real estate and rentals for how P4 works with landlords and property managers.
