No matter you are a renter, or you own a rental property, read on to find out your obligations regarding smoke alarms.

What is the landlord’s responsibility?

The owner has the right to install the smoke alarm at the rented house after notifying the lessee at least two days in advance. The owner must provide the lessee with instructions from the manufacturer on how to clean, test and replace the smoke alarm battery (unless otherwise specified in the rental agreement, the owner is responsible for cleaning, testing and replacing the battery).

The landlord is responsible for providing the smoke alarm and its installation. You will also need to install a new battery for each smoke alarm at the beginning of each new lease. The owner is responsible for replacing the battery in the "hardwired" smoke alarm system with battery backup. The owner shall not dismantle or relocate the smoke alarm at any time unless it is replaced or maintained. The landlord can't do anything at all times to interfere with the alarm sound. The landlord cannot remove the battery at any time unless they are replacing the battery.

The condition report section of the lease agreement must include a specific reference to the smoke alarm so that the tenant and the landlord can note and comment on the presence of the smoke alarm at the beginning and end of the lease.

What is the responsibility of the lessee?

The tenant is responsible for cleaning, testing, and replacing the battery in the battery-powered smoke alarm (unless otherwise specified in the rental agreement, the owner is responsible). The tenant cannot move or reposition the smoke alarm at any time, or take any action to interfere with the warning sound of the alarm. The tenant cannot remove the battery at any time unless they are replacing the battery. If the tenant cannot replace the battery, the tenant should notify the owner as soon as they become aware of the need to replace the battery.