New regulations setting out the requirements for smoke alarms and insulation in residential tenancies will largely come into force on 1 July 2016.

The Residential Tenancies (Smoke Alarms and Insulation) Regulations 2016 have been made pursuant to sections 138A and 138B of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 which impose requirements on landlords and tenants in respect of smoke alarms and insulation.

Regulation 7 sets out the rules for qualifying smoke alarms, while Subpart 1 outlines landlord responsibilities. These include a requirement to install at least one qualifying smoke alarm in every sleeping space or within 3 metres of a sleeping space entrance and at least one alarm in habitable spaces on each storey. Subpart 2 outlines the responsibilities of tenants to replace worn-out batteries.

Part 2 of the regulations establish requirements for ceiling and underfloor insulation and the circumstances under which these apply.