New draft smoke alarm legislation for Tasmanian rental property
Landlords in Tasmania will want to keep one eye on new draft legislation that would see the installation of smoke alarms in residential rental properties become mandatory.
The draft Residential Tenancy Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Bill 2012 and Residential Tenancy (Smoke Alarms) Regulations 2012 were announced last weekend (April 7) and according to minister for corrections and consumer protection Nick McKim, could provide important protection for tenants, as well as rental property owners.
"Research shows that where a house fire occurs and there is no working smoke alarm, occupants are 26 per cent more likely to suffer serious injury and 57 per cent more likely to suffer property loss or damage," McKim said.
He explained that the new draft legislation offers better clarification about the type of properties that will need to have smoke alarms fitted - as well as where the alarms need to be located and the type of alarms that need to be in place.
This differs from current residential tenancy laws in Tasmania, which do not allow tenants to install smoke alarms unless they are able to obtain consent from the property owner.
Public comment on the draft legislation will be accepted until Friday April 27 and will be considered before it is finalised for Cabinet approval.
