QUESTION
Hi there,
We are in discussion about whether we charge FEL on landlords' contents under a residential body corporate, when it is automatically included as a benefit in the policy wording. Under the policy wording, landlords' contents are automatically included - limit $20,000 per unit.
Do we charge FEL on $20,000 per unit that is tenanted?
We are already charging $119.50 per unit for FEL for the building cover.
EXPERT ANSWER: Stephanie Beswick
Under the current Fire Service Act 1975 (in force up to 30 June 2026), personal property is applied and capped on a 'per policy' basis due to the wording/language used.
With the original EQC Act, it was the intent for the levy on personal property to apply on a per residential building basis, but the language used was determined to mean the levy cap applied on a per policy basis instead.
The proposed wording in the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill, if approved, will amend the principal regulations to:
• replace references to personal property with references to household property; and
• provide that the maximum amount of levy payable per year for household property is $21.48 per dwelling in or on which the household property is, or is usually, located.
This means if this is approved and not changed, then from 1 July 2026, household property (previously called personal property) will be on a per-dwelling basis.
