Early responsibilities
After buying a new home, it’s important to complete the following steps to ensure safety and compliance.
Safety switches
Make sure your home has safety switches to prevent electrical faults and keep everyone safe.
A safety switch detects faults in electrical devices and disconnects power to the affected circuits.
Safety switches have been mandatory for all new built or extended homes in Queensland since 1992. If you buy an older property that doesn’t have a safety switch, you must install one for the power point circuits within 3 months of the property transfer. This is required for all transfers of domestic premises.
Do not try to do electrical work yourself. Always use a licensed electrician.
Learn more about safety switches
Smoke alarms
Check your smoke alarms comply with the law.
New smoke alarm laws came into effect in Queensland on 1 January 2017. They include changes to smoke alarm requirements in residential dwellings. These requirements will be phased in over the next 10 years.
All new and substantially renovated homes with building applications submitted on or after 1 January 2017 must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed. They must be compliant with Australian Standard 3786:2014.
The smoke alarms must be installed:
- in every bedroom
- in hallways that connect bedrooms
- on each level of the home.
If you replace a smoke alarm, you must replace it with a compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm.
From 1 January 2022, these requirements will apply to all houses leased and sold.
From 1 January 2027, they will apply to all homes.
Title searches
After the sale, check the details lodged with Titles Queensland are correct.
You can ask your solicitor or Titles Queensland for a statement that confirms you are the registered owner of the property and now own the title to the property.
You can also do a title search to confirm the details in the land registry are correct. This includes details of:
- your mortgage, caveats or other financial interests
- easements or other access needs.
There may be fees involved.
Learn more about title searches