We are renting a house and just realized there are no smoke alarms, and nothing else to warn us if there was a fire. Isn't this illegal???? And what happens when we try to get renter's insurance?? ....
2007-08-13 03:45:14 · 5 answers · asked by mrs k 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
We live in Florida...
2007-08-13 04:02:13 · update #1
Smoke alarms are largely a local issue. If you live is a city or town, there is probably a local ordinance about smoke detectors. I own rentals in two different cities, one requires smoke detectors on every level in the house, the other has no requirements. I'd complain to your landlord about this.
If nothing comes of your complaining, go to the local Home Depot and buy some battery operated units for each level of the house. Should cost you about $10 per unit. Change the batteries every six months.
Insurers have different underwriting rules by state and company. Smoke detectors are a pretty basic item, so don't be surprised if they decline coverage without them.
2007-08-13 04:28:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In most places you must have smoke alarms. It varies in that some places private homes built before the rule are exempt, but even then most rental units are required to have them. Here's the problem with your question. It goes out all over the country. You gave NO indication of where you live, not that I would know the laws in New Jersey or where ever anyway. You will not get a definitive answer here. What you should do is call your local fire department (not 911 of course, the local number) and ask them. If it turns out your rental house should have the alarms, call your landlord and discuss it. If not required, you might consider getting a battery powered unit (they are cheap) and put it in your bedroom or your kids' bedroom.
Kent in SD
2007-08-13 10:56:17 · answer #2 · answered by duckgrabber 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is illegal not to have smoke detector in any home..
Call the Landlord and have them put on on every floor, maybe two per floor depends on how big the house is...
They are easy to install if they do not have to be hard wired..
Call the Fire Department if the Landlord will not install them..
They will make the Landlord install them properlly.
Good luck
2007-08-13 11:22:19 · answer #3 · answered by James 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under Florida tenant landlord law, the landord is required to install working smoke detection devices
2007-08-13 11:31:16 · answer #4 · answered by Craig T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe.
insurance a bit higher without, lower with. It is doubtful that it is illegal, but is a safe guard for the owner annnnd tenant.
You can ask the owner, but they are not that damned expensive with batteries.
One near the kitchen, hall, heater, maybe bedroom.
2007-08-13 10:56:05 · answer #5 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋