Maintaining a safe property should be one of your top priorities as a landlord. You are not only supposed to keep the physical property safe but also have to include your tenants. Tenant injuries can cause a lot of problems and legal issues, so landlords must all the necessary precautions they can.

The landlords must perform inspections to check if there are hazards present in their property because prevention is always better. They should invest in pieces of equipment that will aid in keeping the property safe. Examples of these gadgets are surveillance cameras and smoke detectors.

Smoke detectors are gadgets attached to the ceilings of buildings that will be activated if there is a presence of smoke. And we all know that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. These things will trigger the alarm and will notify your tenants that there is a fire in the building. The main thing is to make sure that the smoke detectors are functioning because these will help protect your property and your tenants.

You might have a few questions about this like, who should have the smoke detectors installed? Can the tenant check if they are functioning? What should we do if the tenants disconnect the smoke detectors? We’ll answer all those questions as we go along.

A landlord must remember that the use of smoke detectors have corresponding state laws. You should make sure to check those because it can vary depending on your location. For example, in the state of Iowa, the alarms should be dual-sensor for smoke and carbon monoxide.

Who should install the smoke detectors?

Most states would require that the landlord should install the smoke detectors as part of the preparation for new tenants. These features can attract more applicants when they check out your property listing at Padleads and the other web pages you syndicated it. You should also check where you should install detectors. In Delaware, for example, smoke detectors must be installed at each level of the house, and outside the bedrooms.

Who should check it regularly and change the batteries?

The tenants are the ones responsible for this. The landlord has to give a notice at least 24 hours before he is allowed to visit the property so the tenant can do these tasks themselves.

Should the smoke detector be connected all the time?

Yes, it should be. A disconnected smoke alarm in the event of a fire can result in a legal problem. It is not illegal to disconnect a smoke detector, but it should be working all the time for everyone’s safety.

If the smoke detector breaks, who should replace it?

The replacement of broken detectors will also vary, depending on the state laws in your area. Most states, like California, will require that the landlord will be responsible for getting a new unit of smoke alarms.

Here are all the things you need to know about smoke detectors in your rental properties:

• You should check and ensure that the smoke detectors are functioning every time a new tenant moves in.
• The type of smoke alarms that are required will vary depending on which state you are.
• Instruct the tenants on how to check if they are functioning and how to change batteries. Advise them to do it at least once a month.
• You are responsible for changing the broken equipment, but the tenants are obligated to file a written report if it is defective.
• You can also check if the smoke alarms are functional as long as a notice has been given at least 24 hours before the scheduled visit. A tenant who is proven to have removed the smoke alarms will get a period to return it or else face eviction from the property.

What if the tenant constantly disconnects or removes the smoke detectors?

The smoke detectors are part of the property that removing it without any valid reason or permission from the landlord can be the basis for initiating the appropriate consequences. The tenant gets a specific number of days to which they should return the smoke detector. If they are unable to do so after several notices, they can get subjected to eviction.

Sometimes the customer is not always right. These gadgets are your property and investment. It is only reasonable that you expect your tenants to take care of it. Those gadgets are there to keep them safe, and they should know that.