Discovering Australia

Smoke Alarms In most states across Australia, landlords have the obligation to install smoke alarms in their properties in accordance with the Building Code of Australia. These devices are typically mounted on the ceilings and are installed to alert residents should there be a fire. If smoke is present in the home, the detector will sound a very loud alarm indicating that residents should evacuate immediately and call the fire department. At the commencement of each new tenancy, landlords must give their tenants the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean, test and replace batteries for smoke alarms as it is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain them in working condition throughout the lease. The condition report section of the tenancy agreement must include a specific reference to smoke alarms so that tenants and landlords are able to note and comment on the presence of smoke alarms at the beginning and end of the tenancy. Departure Departures can be quite challenging, in particular regarding the condition of the property. In Australia, landlords expect the property to be returned in such a condition that they can immediately rent out the property to the next tenant.

The property is inspected at the end of the lease and if necessary, deductions are made from the bond for cleaning and repairs. The lease might sometime include a clause on the condition the property should be returned in a cleaned and sometimes painted condition. This is individually agreed upon in the lease and has to be checked individually to ensure the property is returned according to the lease contract.

Returning a Property The lease termination period in Australia varies in each state or territory, however, the specific termination period is always mentioned in the lease. The monthly rent, utilities, and all property-related expenses must be paid until the end of the lease. It is advisable to have a pre-inspection with the landlord or real estate agent before lease-end/moving out to determine which items need to be completed (cleaning, painting, etc.) Be aware that a pre- inspection is not final, as furniture may still be in the property and so possible damage may not be seen. Please also note that only the final return of the property is binding. When you return the property to the landlord, the property must be in its original condition, minus normal wear and tear.

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Discovering Australia