Selwyn Times: August 02, 2016

Smoke alarms and insulation
are now required
in rental properties
Both landlords and tenants have
responsibility where smoke alarms are
concerned. landlords who fail to comply
with the law could be liable for a fine of
up to $4,000 while failure on the part of
a tenant could lead to a maximum fine of
$3,000.
landlords must ensure that there are
smoke alarms in their rentals: within at
least three metres of a sleeping area or
bedroom door; on all levels of a multi-
storey dwelling; and that any rented
caravan has at least one working smoke
alarm. They must also ensure all smoke
alarms are in working order when a
tenancy begins.
It is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure
that all smoke alarms are in working order,
replacing batteries when required and
informing the landlord if a smoke alarm is
inoperable. They must not remove a smoke
alarm or do anything that could impede a
Long-life photoelectric smoke alarms have
a ten year life.
person’s ability to escape from the building
in the event of a fire.
If a rental has not had smoke
alarms then those installed must have
photoelectric ten-year batteries or be
hard wired. as the batteries in existing
smoke alarms need replacing (as per the
manufacturer’s recommended replacement
date) then photoelectric batteries must be
installed.
“The number of alarms to be installed in
a rental property has been recommended
by the n Z Property Investors’ Federation,”
explains lloyd Manson, director of My
Property Works ltd.
“Most fires start in a bedroom rather
than a kitchen, caused by electric blankets,
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Your guide to Show Homes & New Sections
in the Selwyn District
at the beginning of July, changes to the residential tenancy act came
into effect with tenanted properties now required to be insulated and have
working smoke alarms.
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smoking in bed, or heaters placed near
a bed. This is why property owners are
encouraged to have a smoke alarm in each
bedroom as well as one in an open plan
living area, or one in each living room
space.”
My Property Works ltd can check a
rental property to ensure it is compliant
with the law and fit long-life photoelectric
smoke alarms which have a ten year life.
In relation to insulation, landlords have
three years in which to install insulation
both in the ceiling and under the floor of a
rental home, if sufficient space allows this
to be done.
landlords must also include details
about ceiling, wall and underfloor
insulation in any tenancy agreement with
the information being lodged with the
tenancy services.
While the Ministry of Business,
Innovation and employment is responsible
for overseeing this law, tenants can take
any concerns about smoke alarms or
insulation to the tenancy tribunal without
retribution.
to assist land owners in ensuring that
their rental properties are compliant,
My Property Works ltd can check rental
properties and install long life smoke
alarms where required. They will also
document details in relation to smoke
alarms and insulation and send this
through to tenancy services, something
that is a legal requirement with bond
forms when a new tenancy begins.
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Call or email Mike Hobbs
027 570 7674, broadfieldestates@xtra.co.nz | www.liffeysprings.co