Recently, MacFarlane Real Estate, Inc. took over management of a small duplex owned by an elderly couple. Amazingly, there was no smoke detectors or any sign that there had been smoke detectors in the units.
Smoke detectors are cheap. As a landlord, there is no excuse to not install smoke detectors! The National Fire Protections Association states that “minumum protection requires a smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.” Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on proper placement of the detectors.
Leave the smoke detector instructions for the tenant. It will be up to the tenant to report beeping and other malfunctions. It is also a good idea to check smoke detectors as part of an annual inspection of the unit.
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