TENANT INFORMATION GUIDE FOR TENANTS (VIC) | Page 23

PART 2: During a tenancy

Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms must be installed in
all Victorian homes, units, flats and
townhouses. Landlords are responsible for
fitting smoke alarms in rented properties.
Hard-wired smoke alarms with a battery
back-up must be installed in all buildings
constructed after 1 August 1997, as
well as all rooming houses. Buildings
constructed before then can have a
battery-powered smoke alarm.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade
recommends all smoke alarms be:
• tested regularly
• replaced after 10 years.
Tenants or residents should:
• not deactivate a smoke alarm or
interfere with its operation in any way
• notify the landlord or owner if a smoke
alarm is faulty or not in working order.

Swimming pools and spas
If you are renting a property that has a
pool or outdoor spa, check that the fence
or safety barrier is secure for you and
others who live at or visit the property
(especially children).

The Victorian Building Authority
recommends checking that:
• self-closing and self-latching devices
on pool and spa doors and gates work
properly
• gates are not misused by being
propped open
• there are no items that could be
used to climb over the barrier within
900mm of the gate or fence; for
example, tree branches, pool pumps
or pot plants
• fences (especially boundary timber
paling fences) are in good repair and
cannot be climbed.
Tenants or residents should:
• ensure all gates to the swimming pool
or spa area are closed at all times,
except when entering or leaving the
area
• notify the landlord or owner of any
faults with pool or spa fences, doors
or gates.
If there is a fault with the fence or barrier
(including a gate or door) which causes it
to be unsafe, it is an urgent repair and the
landlord or owner must arrange for it to
be fixed immediately.

All doors and gates that provide access to
a pool or spa must have self-closing and
self-latching devices.

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