Early responsibilities
You will need to do these things as soon as possible after buying your new home.
Safety switches
A safety switch:
- detects certain forms of faults in electric devices
- shuts off power through those circuits.
Any home built after 1992 must have safety switches.
Older homes may not have them, but you might still consider installing one because the buyer will have to install one within 3 months anyway.
Do not attempt to do electrical work yourself. Always use a licensed electrician.
Learn more about safety switches
Smoke alarms law
On 1 January 2017, a new law about smoke alarms started in Queensland.
Requirements for smoke alarms in residential dwellings will change progressively over the next 10 years.
All new and substantially renovated homes that are subject to a building application submitted on or after 1 January 2017, must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms (compliant with Australian Standard 3786:2014) installed.
The smoke alarms must be:
- 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, and from 1 January 2027, they will apply to all homes.
Learn more about smoke alarms.
Titles registry check
After the sale, you should check the details lodged with the titles registry are correct.
You can ask your solicitor or contact the titles registry for a confirmation statement. The statement confirms that you now own the title to the property, meaning that you’re the registered owner of 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
- any easements or other access needs.
Learn how to do a title registry check