Selling property in QLD means getting a lot of paperwork and preparation right, and smoke alarms belong on that list. By 1 January 2027, all existing private homes, townhouses, units and manufactured homes in Queensland must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms, whether or not they are for sale. This guide sets out what the official rules say, what to check before you list, and where to confirm the details for your sale.

Selling property in QLD: what the smoke alarm rules say

The Queensland Government’s rule is simple: by 1 January 2027, every existing private home, townhouse, unit and manufactured home in Queensland must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. Registered caravans and motorhomes must also have a photoelectric smoke alarm.

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) says that if you are selling, renting or re-renting a dwelling, you must already have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed. The law came in over ten years in three stages from January 2017, and 1 January 2027 is the final deadline for every other home. Source: QFD, “Frequently asked questions about smoke alarms” (fire.qld.gov.au, last updated 28 Oct 2026; checked 2 Nov 2026).

So if you’re selling, plan to have compliant alarms in place before the home goes on the market. Our 1 January 2027 deadline explainer covers the date in more detail.

Which smoke alarms meet the Queensland rules

Each required alarm must:

  • be photoelectric (it detects smoke with a light sensor)
  • not contain an ionisation sensor
  • comply with Australian Standard AS 3786:2014, marked on the alarm
  • be interconnected, so all the alarms sound together.

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) says to replace any alarm that contains an ionisation sensor, is not interconnected, or is more than 10 years old. When you’re preparing a home for sale, take each alarm down and read the label. You’re looking for the AS 3786 code and a manufacture date within the last 10 years.

Where alarms must be installed

QFD’s fact sheet lists the required locations:

  • in every bedroom
  • in every hallway, or room, connecting bedrooms
  • on every storey of the home
  • on the ceiling of registered caravans and motorhomes.

Homes that have been renovated are worth a second look. A spare room turned into a bedroom, or a new upstairs level, may need an alarm that wasn’t needed before.

QFD adds that if there is no hallway, the alarm goes between the bedrooms and the other parts of the storey. On the ceiling, alarms must be at least 300 mm from corners or lights and 400 mm from anything that blows air, such as an air conditioner or the edge of a ceiling fan blade.

Hardwired or wireless: what sellers should know

QFD says smoke alarms are powered either by a non-removable battery or by mains power.

Hardwired alarms connect to mains power and must be installed by a qualified electrician. If the home’s current alarms are hardwired, the replacements must also be hardwired.

Wireless alarms have a non-removable 10-year battery and connect without wiring. You can install them yourself.

For a seller, that means two different timelines. A battery-powered home can often be upgraded in an afternoon once the alarms arrive. A hardwired home needs an electrician’s booking, so start earlier, especially in the busy months before the deadline.

A smoke alarm checklist for selling property in QLD

Work through this before the photos and open homes:

  1. Count the required alarms: every bedroom, every hallway or room connecting bedrooms, and every storey.
  2. Inspect each existing alarm: photoelectric, no ionisation sensor, AS 3786:2014 on the label, interconnected, under 10 years old.
  3. Check the power type: hardwired (wires into the ceiling) or battery.
  4. Order matching alarms for the whole home from one brand, so they interconnect. Our smoke alarm shop has multi-packs with a free remote controller and magnetic mounting plates.
  5. Fit wireless alarms yourself, or book a qualified electrician for hardwired alarms.
  6. Test the system: press the test button on one alarm and make sure they all sound.
  7. Keep records: note each alarm’s date code and keep your receipt.

Selling a home with tenants in it

If the home is tenanted while it’s on the market, the tenancy rules from the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) keep applying until the tenancy ends:

  • The owner or property manager tests the alarms within 30 days before a tenancy starts or is renewed, and replaces flat or nearly flat batteries.
  • The tenant tests and cleans the alarms at least once every 12 months, replaces flat batteries during the tenancy, and reports problems.
  • Neither side may remove an alarm or make it less effective, such as by painting or covering it.

Our landlord guide covers rentals in more detail.

Keeping alarms working after the sale

Whoever owns the home, QFD’s maintenance advice is the same. Test every alarm once a month. Clean away dust and insects with a vacuum or brush. Don’t block, cover or paint over alarms.

If you’re buying, it’s worth asking the seller about the alarms early, and checking the labels yourself at the building and pest inspection or final walk-through. Then make a home fire escape plan for your new home and practise it with everyone who’ll live there.

Choosing alarms before you list

We sell photoelectric, interconnected alarms from two makers:

  • RED Smoke Alarms: R10RF wireless, R10RFP Professional, R240RC 240V hardwired, and the RWB2 wireless base. See the RED Professional range.
  • Emerald Alarms: EVO10RF wireless. See the Emerald range.

They’re covered by the manufacturer’s warranty: RED for 10 years from the date code on the alarm, and Emerald for up to 10 years from the date code. We deliver anywhere in Australia by Australia Post, with free standard delivery on orders of $200 or more. Questions? Contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need interconnected smoke alarms to sell my home in Queensland?

Yes. QFD says that if you are selling a dwelling, interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms must already be installed. And by 1 January 2027, every existing home must have them, whether it’s being sold or not.

Can I install wireless smoke alarms myself before selling?

Yes. QFD says wireless alarms with a non-removable 10-year battery can be installed yourself. Hardwired alarms must be installed by a qualified electrician.

My alarms are hardwired. Can I replace them with wireless ones?

QFD says that if your current alarms are hardwired, the replacements must also be hardwired.

How do I check whether an alarm is too old?

Look at the manufacture date on the label. QFD says to replace alarms more than 10 years old.

Do I have to tell the buyer about the smoke alarms?

The Queensland Government and QFD smoke alarm pages don’t cover paperwork for the buyer. Your conveyancer or solicitor can tell you what the contract needs.

Sources