Proposed residential tenancy law ammendments

The insulation requirements will apply to social housing that is heavily subsidised by Government from 1 July 2016 and to other tenancies from 1 July 2019. All landlords will need to disclose in tenancy agreements from 1 July 2016 the extent of insulation in their rental property.

Smoke alarms will also need to be installed in all residential rental homes by 1 July 2016. Regulations will make landlords responsible for ensuring operational smoke alarms are installed in their properties, and tenants responsible for changing batteries and reporting faulty alarms.

The regulations on insulation and smoke alarms will be consulted on in parallel with the Select Committee process. Details on the quantity of insulation and number of smoke alarms required will be determined in the regulations. The regulations will also set under what circumstance a property can be excluded. Consultation is open from Thursday 3 December 2015 and closes 11pm on Thursday 10 February 2016.

Go here for information on the submission process.

And here for further information on the residential tenancies act changes.