Hi Wylie,
This is no longer quite correct.
- The tenant is still responsible if the battery goes flat within the tenancy however it is the landlord who is responsible for changing the battery and ensuring it works at the start of a NEW and RENEWAL of tenancy..
I think I probably didn't make that clear. I meant that between the start of the initial tenancy and the renewal of the next lease the tenant must change a battery if it starts beeping. It is clearly spelt out in the RTA sheet that at lease start and any renewal, the landlord must change the battery, clean and test the alarm. I just didn't say it too well
http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/Resources/Fact-Sheets/General-tenancy-fact-sheets/Smoke-alarms-fact-sheet
"
Under the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990, administered by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, both tenants and lessors have responsibilities for smoke alarms in their rental properties.
Tenants: Have obligations for cleaning, testing and replacing batteries for alarms during a tenancy.
Lessors: Have obligations for installing, cleaning and testing smoke alarms and replacing batteries before the start or renewal of a tenancy.
See easy reference table for specific details."
Again
http://www.reiq.com/renting/smoke-alarm-legislation-rental-properties
LESSOR OBLIGATIONS
The lessor must clean and test all smoke alarms at the property within 30 days of the start of a tenancy. This includes renewal agreements.
HERES AN EXAMPLE
If a tenant enters into a six-month tenancy agreement and the lessor offers a renewal agreement at the end of the current agreement, the lessor obligation to clean and test all alarms within 30 days of the start of an agreement again applies.
If it is found that the battery is flat or almost flat at the time of cleaning and testing the alarm, the lessor must replace the battery immediately. If the alarm fails, other than because the battery is flat during a tenancy, the lessor must replace or repair the alarm.
The lessor must replace the alarm before it reaches the ends of its service life.
TENANT OBLIGATIONS
Tenants must replace the battery if the battery is flat or almost flat during a tenancy.
The tenant must clean and test the alarms during a tenancy only if:
? They have a 12 month agreement or longer; or
? They are on a periodic tenancy that is 12 months or longer in duration.
If a tenancy is less than 12 months in length, or a periodic tenancy that is less than 12 months in length, the obligations to clean and test an alarm cannot be passed onto the tenant.