Hot tips for landlords and tenants under new Residential Tenancies Act

The Fire Service is calling on landlords and tenants to do their bit for fire safety, as new smoke alarm requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act come into effect today.

• Working smoke alarms are now required in each sleeping space or within 3 metres of each bedroom door.

• Self-contained caravans or sleep outs must have at least one working smoke alarm.

• Multi-story units must have at least one working smoke alarm on each level.

• Landlords are responsible for checking smoke alarms still work at the beginning of every new tenancy.

• Tenants are responsible for replacing batteries (if required) during their tenancy.

• Long life photoelectric smoke alarms are now required where there are no existing alarms, and when existing smoke alarms are replaced, the replacements must be long-life photoelectric smoke alarms.

“Just last week a smoke alarm prevented a potentially devastating house fire in Whanganui, after being installed by the landlord the day before,” says Todd O’Donoghue, National Advisor Fire Risk Management.

A neighbour called 111 after hearing the smoke alarm from next door. While the property suffered some smoke damage, Mr O’Donoghue says it could’ve been a lot worse by the time flames and smoke were visible.

“Most importantly, no-one was harmed. House fires can kill in less than five minutes, which is why early warning is so important, especially if you’re asleep.”

The Fire Service recommends people install long-life photoelectric smoke alarms, which have a built-in battery that lasts for up to 10 years.

“They’re great for rentals because the batteries are built-in, so you never have to change them, and the alarm can’t be tampered with.” Mr O’Donoghue says.

There have been 19 avoidable house fire fatalities in New Zealand since July 2015, with 11 or 58% of them occurring in rental properties.

Not sure how or where to install your smoke alarms? Watch the Fire Service’s two-minute guide here.

ENDS

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