Changes in Legislation for Short Term Stays come into effect 1st November

Holidays are meant for relaxation and unwinding, but owners of short-term rentals need to be especially vigilant to ensure their properties are safe and compliant for each visitor.

From November 2021, all short-term stay rental properties must conform to new policies introduced via amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (EP&A Regulation). This means any short-term stay property may need an upgrade to smoke and heat alarms.

In short:

• Properties currently with a single battery alarm will need to be upgraded to 10 year lithium battery alarms
• One existing hard wired alarm could mean your property is already compliant
• Two or more alarms will need to be interconnected and placed in the correct location
• Properties with a connected garage (underneath the property) will need to have an interconnectable heat alarm installed. This is only applicable if the garage is accessible to the holiday goer.
• The heat alarm must be powered by mains electricity or by a non-removable 10 year battery which must be interconnected to the smoke alarms within the dwelling

SAA's auto-renewing annual program makes it simple and easy for landlords when it comes to compliance in their short-term stay rental. You benefit through:

• access to the online partner portal
• beeping alarm support
• integration with PropertyMe, Property Tree and Palace
• unlimited call outs and battery replacement (alarm replacements at an extra cost)
• certification of compliance

If you would like to know more about this service, contact us and your Business Development Manager will be in touch.