--- title: Selling a House in QLD: Electrical Checklist | Hang Loose url: https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/selling-a-house-electrical-qld language: en-AU updated: 2026-10-25 publisher: Hang Loose Electrical, 3/27 Huntington Street, Clontarf QLD 4019, 0492 268 126 --- 1. [Home](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/) 2. [Guides](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/guides) 3. Selling a house Selling and renting # Selling a House in Queensland: The Electrical Checklist Smoke alarms, safety switches and the things a building inspector writes up. What the rules say, what buyers notice, and what is worth fixing before you list. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](#quote) By **Hang Loose Electrical**, licensed electricians in Clontarf. Checked 13 October 2026. ## The two legal items: smoke alarms and safety switches Most of the electrical side of a sale comes down to two things the law cares about. - **Smoke alarms.** If your sale contract is signed after 31 December 2021, the home must have photoelectric smoke alarms, interconnected so they all sound together, in the locations the law sets out. The Queensland Fire Department says sellers must have this done before the property changes hands. - **Safety switches.** Every general power point circuit needs a safety switch. If the home does not have one, Queensland's electrical safety rules give the new owner 90 days after they become the owner to have one installed. That makes it the buyer's job on paper, but in practice it often comes up in negotiation. ## What you have to tell the buyer Queensland's seller disclosure rules changed on 1 August 2025, when the new seller disclosure statement became mandatory. Your conveyancer or solicitor prepares it and will tell you what has to be disclosed about the property, including anything electrical. We do not prepare disclosure documents, but we can give you a written report on smoke alarms and safety switches for your conveyancer to use. ## What a buyer's building inspector usually flags Building and pest inspectors are not electricians, but they will note anything that looks old or unsafe. The items that come up most on homes around Redcliffe and Moreton Bay: - An old switchboard with ceramic (rewireable) fuses and no safety switches - Smoke alarms that are ionisation type, past their expiry date or not interconnected - Scorched or loose power points and light switches - DIY wiring in sheds, garages and under the house - Outdoor power points and lights that are cracked, corroded or missing covers, which is common close to the water Any one of these can turn into a price reduction request or a nervous buyer. Most are quick and inexpensive to fix before you list. ## A sensible order of work 1. **Get the smoke alarms compliant first.** It is a legal requirement for the sale and usually the cheapest item on the list. See our [smoke alarm law guide](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/qld-smoke-alarm-laws-2027). 2. **Check for safety switches on the power circuits.** Look at the switchboard for a device marked RCD, RCBO or "safety switch" with a test button. If there is none, or you are not sure, ask us to check. 3. **Fix anything damaged or scorched.** These are the items that worry buyers most. 4. **Decide on the switchboard.** If it is old and full, a quote in hand helps you negotiate, whether you upgrade it or leave it for the buyer. See [what changes the price of a switchboard upgrade](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/switchboard-upgrade-cost-brisbane). ## From our job sheets Pre-sale and compliance work is a regular part of our week across the Redcliffe Peninsula and Moreton Bay. Typical jobs include smoke alarm upgrades to interconnected photoelectric alarms, safety switch testing and replacement, and switchboard upgrades with new safety switches and earthing brought up to current standards. We give you a written record of what we tested and fixed. ## What it costs with us A property electrical safety inspection is from $199 inc GST. Smoke alarm replacement is from $89 inc GST per alarm, and safety switch replacement from $189 inc GST. We quote bigger work in writing before we start. See our [smoke alarm service](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/safety-switches-smoke-alarms) and [switchboard upgrades](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/switchboard-upgrades). ## Sources - [Queensland Fire Department: smoke alarm requirements](https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/smokealarms) - [WorkSafe Queensland: safety switch requirements for owners](https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/electrical-safety-and-other-legislation-amendment-regulation-2024/esola-regulation-your-questions-answered) - [Electrical Safety Office: frequently asked questions](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/frequently-asked-questions) - [REIQ: Queensland's seller disclosure regime](https://www.reiq.com/articles/property-sales/new-seller-disclosure-regime-in-queensland) ## Need a hand with this? Call the team, or send the details for a fast quote. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](#quote) [24/7 emergencies: **0487 259 697**](tel:+61487259697) - **Mon to Fri** 6:30am to 6pm - **Sat** 7am to 1pm - **After hours** 24/7 emergency line above (after-hours surcharges apply) - **Workshop** 3/27 Huntington Street, Clontarf QLD 4019 ## Common questions Can't see your question? Call [0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126) and talk to the team. [All guides](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/guides) ### Do I have to upgrade my smoke alarms before I sell? Yes, if the contract is signed after 31 December 2021. The home needs interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in the required locations before the property changes hands. ### Do I have to install a safety switch before I sell? The rules put that on the new owner, who has 90 days after becoming the owner to have safety switches on the power point circuits. Many sellers fix it anyway so it does not come up in negotiation. ### Can you give me something in writing for the buyer or conveyancer? Yes. We provide a written record of what we tested and any work we did. Your conveyancer handles the legal disclosure. ### How much is a pre-sale electrical check? A property electrical safety inspection is from $199 inc GST. Repairs are quoted before we start. ## Related guides - ### [Smoke alarm laws 2027](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/qld-smoke-alarm-laws-2027) What the 2027 rules require, where alarms go, and what it costs. - ### [Landlord obligations](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/landlord-electrical-obligations-qld) Smoke alarms, safety switches, repairs and entry notices for rental properties. - ### [Switchboard upgrade cost](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/switchboard-upgrade-cost-brisbane) Real price ranges from our invoices and what moves the price. ## Get a fast quote Tell us the job. It takes about a minute. ## Rather we sorted it? Call the team or send the details for a fast quote. You'll have a clear price before any work starts. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/contact)