Legislation & Requirements
From 23 March 2020, NSW landlords need to ensure that smoke alarms installed in rented properties are in working order.
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Service smoke alarms annually
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Replacing alarms within their 10 year expiry period and replacing removable batteries annually
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Provide smoke alarms and battery condition report for an incoming condition report
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Ensuring smoke alarms are in buildings where people sleep
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Ensuring smoke alarms are functioning at all times
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Where a smoke alarm is not in working order, landlords and agents must ensure the alarm is repaired (this includes replacing a battery) within 2 business days.
Landlords and agents must give at least 2 business days’ notice to inspect or assess the need for smoke alarm repair or replacement, and at least 1 hour notice to carry out repair or replacement of a smoke alarm.
Smoke Alarm Compliance Services
Corded Blind Compliance
As the owner of a rental property, it is the responsibility of the landlord to keep their
tenants and their children safe. Owners are required to comply with the Trade Practices
Mandatory Safety Standards of the Trade Practices Regulations 2010 starting 1 July 2011.
Corded internal window coverings can be used inside a building and are either:
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Curtains or blinds with a cord
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Fittings used with a window covering, such as a traverse rod or track.
The corded internal window covering should be installed in a way that ensures a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or longer at or less than 1,600 mm above floor level.
A cleat used to secure a cord must be installed at least 1,600 mm above floor level. A corded internal window covering should have attached a warning label that blinds, curtains and any other window coverings pose a strangulation hazard for young children.
What is an RCD? - An RCD, or Residual Current Device, is designed to prevent fatal electric shocks if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. RCDs offer a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit-breakers cannot provide. RCD's not only help prevent electric shock, but also assist fuses and circuit breakers to detect current leakage and faults in the electrical circuits.
Residual Current Devices (RCD) help protect tenants by switching off the power on a circuit should there be an issue with an appliance or wiring within the property. Checking them regularly helps protect the tenant and the landlords investment.
Residual Current Devices (RCD's)
Water Compliance
In NSW a landlord can ask a tenant to pay for water usage if the propertymeets the water
efficiency standards. These are:
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The property must be separately metered
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There must be no leaking taps anywhere on the premises
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All internal water taps and single mixer taps must have a flow rate of less than 9 litres per minute, excluding bathtub taps, laundry taps and taps supplying washing machines and dishwashers
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All shower heads in the property must have a maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute
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All replaced toilets to be dual flush(from 23rd March, 2025)
