My problems with LJ Hooker Logan City

Your missing my/the point.

Smoke alarms are to alert and save lives, not the property, that is a different type of alarm system for property. Anyone that ties this to saving property is barking up the wrong tree (i.e insurance not paying).

 

I believe you still need to do the batteries yearly and note the age of alarm as well.

Not sure what happens with the ones that have a 10 year battery ? but still prob requires a test.

But if I have to make sure my ones work at my home, I do not see why tenants can't be made to make sure the alarms work in their home, fair enough LL may need to supply, but they should be making sure batterie/s are changed and press the test button.... it is a nanny state nonsense we have to hand hold on everything.

Someone should come up with a universal portable system.

 

According to this article hard wired smoke alarms need to be installed by a qualified, licensed electrician. I'll be sure to ask my PMs next time if they hold such a qualification.

 

You do not need hard wired smoke alarms.

When I have asked for them guess what the pros installed instead ? Yep, normal battery units, so much for being Pro.

At the end of the day, I do not swallow BS is all I am saying, someone can tell me they do not want to do it or no time or whatever, but do not hide behind lies or mis information.

You can run your IPs as you wish, no point picking an argument with me, the facts are just that.

 

I'm not sure anyone's suggesting the PM install them

I prefer them, more of a set and forget type arrangement.

 

Quite true.

But the sooner alarms wake the residents, the sooner the fire brigade is called. This may minimise the fire damage.
Marg

 

I find these smoke alarm services to be all a croc of crap

$100 to look after battery operated alarms, yeah right,

you can buy them youselves and replace them every year for $100, or pay someone to do it

virtually every agent tries to sell it, its a sneaky way they make a comission,

i usually reply "I dont need it, but if you really want to, you are more then welcome to pay it out of your pocket if you think its such a fantastic deal"

 

Can you please explain this a little further. The scam part.

I've paid it but havent been bothered to check the QLD legislation and my insurance policy...I probably should make the time.


NSW Annual fire safety statements and fire schedules i'm very much aware of but QLD residential smoke alarm requirments I have little idea.

 

We had fire alarm checks in the apartment we were renting in Sydney and the guy literally just pressed the button to see if it worked and left straight after. I was thinking it'd be slightly more involved initially

 

So your nong tenant in nongville gets woken, exits the building while only the ashtray was alight, they do not call anyone, but panic...... so now your insurer wont pay you ?

If any insurer trys wiggling out of this, I will be in for a day in court or more, no worries.

My insurance has no out regarding response time for tenant to call brigade, indeed, they may even leave the house in some areas ! lol

 

Yes, very technical, well worth a hundred bucks or so a year.

 

Exactly.!
Battery operated smoke alarms either work or they dont.
They use a battery. You make sure the battery has powrr left in it. Which is rocket science
You then press the button once per year or more. This requires you to put a single finger on the button and press with moderaye force and then you listen for a beep

If these fail. You go and buy a new one from bunnings for $8 and you screw it in yourself.

In fact my eldest son who is 14 replaced the one for his mum

 

OP just change agents. It's easy, the new agent does everything and you never have to deal with the existing agent again. Search for recommendations here.

In Queensland, the smoke alarm regulations are stringent, I'm happy to pay the $100 or whatever to ensure compliance.

Changes to Queensland's smoke alarm legislation | About Queensland and its government | Queensland Government

Smoke alarms | Residential Tenancies Authority

 

Can the PM prove to you that the termite protection was a state of emergency? Has a professional come out, inspected the property and written a report regarding the termites activity?
PMs are not qualified to determine if termite treatment is required.
If no such evidence can be provided to you, then surely action can be taken against them to be refunded the termite treatment costs.

 

He must have made a killing just in our complex. Probably got a couple of thousand for a few hours work. Nice work if you can get it

 

LOL....QLD saves so many more lives.....*sigh*

Because some idiots manipulated alarms, now they legislate for the masses.

I mean really, so many of you are hoodwinked with this black magic, do you think in all inland towns etc all this rubbish goes on as if it is the one main issue ? in many places, you can't even get anyone to do it, no one interested in such a business.

And gee, we must be saving thousands upon thousands from themselves every year with all these fantasic alarmm services

 

I think it may be time to get off your soap box and take some of your own advice..

 

Yeah, ok, it should be in it's own thread really & understand I really do not care how you (or other exp LLs) do it.

But people like you post mis information & it ill guides newer people, so get your facts straight.

2 important things to know

1 What smoke alarms are needed for (and it is not for property protection)

2 Current legislation - nothing stops a LL following the rules now, no snake oil salesmen required, annual service is an option, not a legislated requirement. You only need to follow legislated requirements & be aware that some people read them differently or read things into the rules that are simply not there.

A third point is, of course, it may be easier to just take up one of these services, and that is ok too if it suits you. Check out the differences in pricing though if you keep tabs on your running costs.

 

@Truly Exotic, as per my previous comments on your matter in the other topic, I fully agree that your complaints are completely justified in relation to the unprofessional conduct of your previous agents. What I'm posting below is more so in relation to the comments made on this topic since then, rather than any sort of specific disagreement with your points or choices.
__________________________________________________________________

I've attached here a fully up to date section of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 that relates to the installation, testing and maintenance of smoke alarms in rental properties. There's also an REIQ update sheet on the recent amendments.

It is not a legal requirement to have Smoke Alarms tested by a qualified electrician or suitable compliance specialist. However, without engaging a professional you as the lessor are responsible for installing, testing and maintaining the alarms as per the legal requirements and manufacturers specifications specific to each individual alarm. The Property Manager cannot take on any of these tasks on your behalf.

The REIQ and I would imagine other REI (Real Estate Institute) variants around Australia consider it non-negotiable best practice to have every property signed up to a smoke alarm compliance plan. For $79 or $99 ($199 is obscene @mikey7 !) you are paying for testing, unlimited call outs and best of all- total indemnification in relation to the condition of the smoke alarms should a fire occur and tragedy strike.

I have about 2% of my clients testing their own alarms. These clients are fully educated on the requirements and local, so I'm comfortable with it. Everyone else is more than happy to pay for the annual compliance and leave it to us.

It's annoying that this is yet another cost that the Landlord has to bear in the quest to over-legislate everything, but it is what it is. If you really want to shock yourself, check out the requirements coming in 2022, fully inter-connected alarms in every bedroom and hallway!!!

 

Simple, just change property managers, give them 30 days notice and move on... I personally pay the $100 per year to have someone certify the house meets current requirements, cheap to have that in writing in case of a fire. The service I have for $100 p/a includes replacement smoke alarms that are out of date or faulty.

PM me for a good property manager in Logan!