It seems some legislation comes in (soon?) and agent is advising $99 for smoke alarm and $199 for gas heater check, yearly.
Is there a cheaper alternative out there? I tried to search around but everyone seems to charge in the same ballpark.
The property is in Victoria. I cant DIY anything and prefer not to.
Thanks guys.
Why don't you do the smoke alarm yourself. If you identify any issues during the test, then get someone else to do it. It just needs change of battery (usually 9v) and press a button to test it. For gas heater, call around a few local plumbers, or look on Air Tasker. Make sure they give you a certification.
Why don't you do the smoke alarm yourself. If you identify any issues during the test, then get someone else to do it.
It has to be certified. ie: The testing company supplies a certificate of compliance. It's a rip-off. Our 8 unit block pays $600 annually. The guy comes on a Saturday (obviously retired and earning some beer money) and he has the whole block done in 70 minutes.
I don't think that's the kind of thing you want to bargain for, get it done.
If everyone seem to charge in the same ballpark, then you're probably not getting overcharged.. so just bite the bullet and do it. Better safe than sorry.
Huge Quote? 😂
Cheaper than a burnt down house 🤷♂️
Being an investment property, the charges will be tax deductible anyway. Just keep the Tax Invoices for your records.
$300 a year is huge? You're going to have a very bad time as an investment property owner.
That's not a huge quote. They are normal prices for those services.
They usually have highly skilled blokes come around and do it. Think the last guy to do the place I live in had it done in well under 10 mins because he does so many they know exactly what to look for and how its done. best to pay for these types of experts to do it.
$99 for a smoke alarm check is standard, not sure on the gas one.
I had my gas heater serviced last year for $200 I shopped around as well I live in the western suburbs in Melbourne
Pretty typical. At least claimable as an expense.
I agree it is ridiculous pricing, if you have the option to do it yourself.
Buy a $12 new smoke alarm at Bunnings, take a ladder and replace the old one.
There is nothing the $99 people do any different, some might not even replace the battery - you are paying for somebody to attend the place and maybe have to come back if there is nobody home.
I wouldn’t sell a checking a smoke alarm service for much cheaper, but it is an expense I would seek to avoid if possible.
I assume checking a gas heater is much the same, maybe blowing out the dust with a can of air - but I’m not a gas fitter so I’ll let somebody else advise what that entails for $200.
The other way to do it might be to ask your tenant to find their own “inspector” and agree to pay $35 if they send you the letter saying it was inspected and no issue found, or a replacement fitted or whatever had to happen.
There is no diploma of smoke alarm checking, it just needs to be checked.
Paying for liability (By REA) and your convenience, plus others have said negative gearing.
Heater malfunctions, starts fire, smoke alarm is faulty tenants die in house fire, at the inquest into the deaths OP mentions he saved $60 by getting a guy off airtasker to check it instead of insured licensed technician that agent recommended. Liability Insurance disputing coverage.
Not sure who put in a negative vote, and why? An anonymous negative vote, without an explanation doesn't help anyone. In my comment, I suggest getting a licenced plumber on Airtasker. Those who are familiar with Airtasker listing, most people ask for quotes including compliance certificates for plumbing and electrical works. Mere mention of Airtasker does not mean that I suggest using unlicensed trades.
Seems reasonable- stop being a tight arse and get it done