Question Regarding Dividing Wall/Fire Wall QLD Is One Needed? Renter Needs Help Please

L[Deactivated] on 28/06/2016 - 09:43

Hi all, New account but browsed and gotten deals for ages.

Long story short I live in a house that is divided into two. Both with own bathrooms, kitchens etc so completely separate with own entries. Old timber house with timber floorboards that are not cut at the divider, so we share some floorboards which makes things worse.

I had my father over recently who commented how it shouldn't be legal as it has no fire wall. The wall that divides the 2 apartments is just the timber assembly the builder would have for a normal wall and plasterboard on both sides. there is no divider in the roof nor is there one in the garage (just dirt as a divider). I never knew this was a thing until dad told me. I am now worried for fire safety, and also if next door has a man hole like I do it would be easily accessible to get into my place. Plus the noise is ridiculous from next door.

Called the council and was told it was built in the 90s/00s so they will need to search through records which will take a month orso.

Any builders etc on here that can comment if it actually did need a fire wall?

Thanks!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • skrep on 28/06/2016 - 10:02
    +2

    is it classified as two dwellings or just the one?

    many other circumstances have a play in this.. you say its an old timber house? then there isn't any need to have a fire-rated wall as the exteriors walls are still going to burn down. it would need to be brick and mortar house

    what it should be is sound rated. but I cant recall if that is a law or just common sense from the architects

    FYI - I'm a plasterer.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/06/2016 - 10:09

      Hey mate thanks for replying.
      It is classified as two dwellings, unit 1 and unit 2. I think its more of a plasterboard house then anything. Yeah I cut two holes in the wall in different rooms and there is no sound proofing, nothing.

      • Euphemistic on 28/06/2016 - 14:49
        +1

        It might say unit one and unit two on the letterbox, but that doesn't mean the council know about it. I might have been thrown up by Dodgy Joe and Co rental improvements just to make more money off the property without going through the approval process.

        If the council give you nothing and you are still worried, it's time to move on.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/06/2016 - 17:22

          Council is aware of it. Spoken to BCC, RTA and the Building and Construction commission but nobody is willing to put pen to paper. So just going to get it looked at by a building inspector and get a report so I at least have another opinion rather than mine when I take it to QCAT to get the lease terminated.

      • Name on 02/07/2016 - 07:36
        +1

        You cut a hole in a rental property wall??

        • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2016 - 13:17

          Not heard of patching and painting? Was 2cmx2cm and stuck a snake with a light in. Useless post is useless

        • Name on 02/07/2016 - 15:49

          @Mekzoid:
          You are kidding right? Unless you paint the entire wall you can tell a wall has been patched.

          I'd be pretty annoyed if a tennant cut a hole in my wall just to see if it was insulated. What a pointless and arrogant thing to do to someone else's property.

          If you aren't happy, complain and move on to another property. Don't go vandalising it.

  • Supporter on 02/07/2016 - 21:09

    i can tell you with certainty that you need a firewall between two separate units. If your neighbour starts a fire you will have no chance to get out in time. A firewall 60/60/- can provide 60 minute of protection. in your case you will need your neighbour to wake you up/ alert you pretty much immediately. i bet you that the owner made 2 units illegally and has no approval for 2 units. hopefully council will call you and tell you and also fine the owner as well as instruct them to cease dual occupancy.

  • Supporter on 02/07/2016 - 21:13

    You can also call QFRS Qld Fire and Rescue and when they show up they will slap a fine on the owner. i represented a client in exactly this scenario about 2yrs ago… lease got terminated within a few days of the owner receiving my letter.

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