Since 1 January 2022, every Queensland home being sold or leased (or having a lease renewed) must have interconnected, photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom, every hallway connecting bedrooms to the rest of the house, and on every storey. It is not optional and there is no soft grace period at settlement.
What are the current Queensland smoke alarm requirements?
Alarms must be photoelectric (not ionisation) and less than 10 years old, hardwired to mains power or powered by a non-removable 10 year lithium battery, and interconnected so that when one goes off they all go off. They must be installed in every bedroom, in the hallway or space between bedrooms and the rest of the home, and on every storey (even storeys with no bedrooms).
When do the rules apply?
On sale, on a new lease, and on a lease renewal. From 1 January 2027, the same standard applies to every domestic dwelling in Queensland, regardless of whether it is being sold or leased, so if you are still relying on old ionisation alarms it is time to upgrade.
What happens if my home is not compliant at sale?
The buyer cannot terminate the contract solely because the alarms are non-compliant, but the buyer is entitled to an adjustment of 0.15 per cent of the purchase price at settlement. More importantly, if a fire occurs and your alarms were non-compliant during a tenancy, the exposure is much bigger than the cost of upgrading.
How much does compliance cost?
For a typical four bedroom home, expect $500 to $900 to supply and install a compliant interconnected system. Fully wireless systems are cheaper to install than hardwired retrofits.
Common mistakes I see
Alarms in the wrong rooms (kitchen instead of the hallway). Mixed alarm types that do not interconnect. Old ionisation alarms still on the ceiling with a stray new photoelectric alongside. Alarms older than 10 years still in place. Fix these before you list, not on the day of settlement.
Who is legally responsible?
For a sale, the seller. For a lease, the landlord. Property managers usually coordinate this for owners, but the legal duty sits with the owner.
Important note
This article is general information only, not legal advice. Queensland property law changes and every situation is different. Before you act, speak with a qualified solicitor or licensed conveyancer, and verify current requirements with the relevant Queensland Government source (Queensland Government, Queensland Law Society, Office of Fair Trading, or the QBCC where applicable).
Where to from here
Selling and want it handled properly? Book a free appraisal and I will walk you through your obligations end to end. If you just want a fast market read on your home first, Jai can give you an instant estimate.
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Written by
Junaid Ally
Ray White Rochedale agent. I've been selling homes across Brisbane's south side for more than 18 years and have helped over 1,000 local families through the process. I write about what I see on the ground each week — auctions, results, seller questions and the small things that make a real difference to a sale.
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