A safety checklist for your rental
When it comes to a rental property, safety is everyone’s concern, with the rental owner, the property manager and the occupier all responsible for keeping the property safe and in good condition.
But what areas should you check when it comes to a rental?
Here’s a quick safety checklist to assist…
Smoke alarms
These days a number of states have laws in place when it comes to smoke alarms, including the type that need to be fitted in a rental property and how often they need to be checked.
Your property manager is the best person to keep you up to date with the relevant legislation, but it‘s also important to remember smoke alarms save lives, with interconnected smoke alarms offering the best form of protection.
Pool fences
Pool fences are another arena that can be governed by state or territory law.
In Queensland, for example, all pool fences need to be checked for compliance by a licensed pool safety inspector on a regular basis, a certificate must be provided, and resuscitation information must be displayed.
Again, your property manager is the person to speak to about the criteria a rental property pool needs to meet.
Electrical
Any electrical issue in a property can be serious, which is why it pays to quickly respond to any electrical repair requests and keep the age and condition of the property in mind.
In addition, there might also be requirements under law, including the provision of safety switches in the property’s power box.
Scorching around power points, bare wires, or circuits that regularly trip the fuse box are also signs of a potential electrical problem.
Stoves and hot water heaters
If the stove or hot water heater breaks, that’s considered an emergency repair. Between rental agreements, all stove elements should be checked, along with the oven.
Meanwhile, the water heater should be set within safe temperature limits, to minimise the chance of scalding.
Floors and uneven surfaces
Whether it’s the entrance to the property, an exterior path or the home’s interior, flooring, pathways and paved areas should be checked for uneven surfaces, along with tripping and slipping hazards.
Ceilings and walls
During routine and exit inspections, your property manager will also check the property for any issues with the ceilings and walls, including water marks that may indicate a leak, or cracks that may be a sign of subsidence.
Ventilation
Poor ventilation or an inadequately maintained heating and colling system can lead to potential problems down the track, including mould.
At every rental agreement changeover, the property should be checked to ensure there is adequate ventilation, especially in wet areas like bathrooms, and the heating or cooling system is clean and working as it should.
Stairwells and balconies
Stairwells and balconies should be regularly checked for loose balustrading, uneven flooring, slippery flooring or other issues. The lighting in these areas should also be regularly checked.
Exteriors
Finally, the exterior of the property should be assessed on a regular basis, looking for signs of water leakage, uneven pathways, roofing issues, gutter problems, and uneven exterior floor surfaces.
As a prevention measure, gutters should be cleaned once a year and pest inspections should also be carried out on a regular basis.
The final word
Each of these items might be designed to ensure the safety of the home is maintained, but they are also part of the general maintenance of a property.
A good property manager will be keeping an eye out for all the above issues over the course of any rental agreement and during a changeover.
How we can help
Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both rental occupiers and owners.
We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.
Alternatively, if you are looking to rent a property, you can view the properties we currently have available here.
