I live in Ellensburg, Washington and my landlord refuses to help us get our electric (non-battery) smoke detector fixed. It has been going off intermitantly for weeks. Our ceilings are about 20ft high, so there's no chance of us working on it ourselves. I need to know who to contact to 1) get my landlord in trouble for not doing his job and 2) to fix the darn thing so we're safe at night. I don't know the manufacturer or anything about the smoke detectors because my landlord won't share this information with us. Moving out is not an option. Thanks!
2007-01-15 11:08:25 · 6 answers · asked by Megan M 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Everyone's been helpful (except for the person that suggested I replace the batteries on my NON BATTERY smoke detector), but where can I find a phone number or website to check local laws and things?
2007-01-15 11:27:18 · update #1
Trust me guys, it is NOT the batteries. It is most definitely the alarm going off. It is an excruciatingly loud siren that can only be silenced by turning off all the power using our circuit breaker. The SIREN/ALARM is making noise SPORADICALLY, that is to say IRREGULARLY, thereby definitely NOT a periodic, regular battery chirp/beep. I just want to know where I can go to find out about laws for this sort of thing. (I've already gotten some good advice about an electrician and the fire department which has already been acted upon.)
2007-01-15 15:26:44 · update #2
First, I would go out and buy one, install it myself. I would then
contact a fire dept. Then let your landlord tell them why it isn't
working & when it will be!!!!!
2007-01-15 11:33:27 · answer #1 · answered by Williamstown 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even electric smoke detectors have battery backups (for when the power goes out). The intermittent beeping you hear is a warning that the battery needs to be replaced. You could remove the cover yourself -- they usually indicate whether to twist or pull down. Most detectors use a standard 9-volt battery.
2007-01-15 21:04:46 · answer #2 · answered by Rick K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write to your landlord and have the letter notarized and sent to him certified. Since a smoke detector is a 'life-safety' device he has to fix it immediately. However that's in an ideal world, and this is the real world.
Call an electrician AFTER you receive confirmation of receipt and have him fix the detector. Then send the bill to the landlord. Legally he has to pay and since you've sent a notarized letter he'll have to pay, just take the cost off your next month's rent.
2007-01-15 19:15:51 · answer #3 · answered by tropicalturbodave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would contact your local county government and ask what can be done legally to get your landlord to repair the darn thing. Those things can be maddening when they go off, but they are really good things to have so you don't want to just disable it.
2007-01-15 19:18:38 · answer #4 · answered by Bullwinkle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first you need to write your landlord a letter stating the problem, or problems, otherwise he can say "I didn't know anything about that". (I speak from experience on that.) keep a copy for yourself and give him one. second you need to contact code enforcement, let them know that you have been having trouble. there are tenants rights and channels you can go through. check your local laws regarding tenants rights and responsibilities good Luck.
2007-01-15 19:22:13 · answer #5 · answered by Edward C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
smoke detectors are pretty cheap, so if I were you, I'd just go buy a couple and install them myself..the beeping you are hearing is the battery. it needs to be replaced..
2007-01-15 19:12:36 · answer #6 · answered by petmomx9 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋