Smoke alarms: What every tenant should know

Smoke alarms are one of those things you don’t tend to think about. They sit quietly on the ceiling, doing their job in the background. And that’s exactly how it should be. In a rental home though, they’re not optional. They’re a legal requirement, and both landlords and tenants have a part to play in keeping them working.

Where they should be placed

Every rental property in New Zealand must have smoke alarms in very specific places. At least one within three metres of each bedroom door, or in every room where someone sleeps, and at least one on every level of the home. This applies to houses, units, sleep-outs, caravans and boarding houses. If you’re not sure where yours are, it’s worth having a look.

What kind of alarm should you have?
Any new or replacement alarm must be photoelectric. These detect smoke earlier and are much safer than older styles. They also need to be either hard-wired into the property’s power, or fitted with a long-life battery that lasts at least eight years. Older alarms can stay in place if they’re still working and haven’t expired. Yes, they do have expiry dates.

What your landlord must do

Before you move in, your landlord must make sure the smoke alarms are in the right places and working properly. Any alarm that’s expired, faulty or doesn’t meet the rules must be replaced. During the tenancy, they’re responsible for keeping them in working order and can give 24 hours’ notice to come and check or fix them if needed.

Your responsibilities, as a tenant

This part often surprises people. You must not remove, disconnect or tamper with smoke alarms. If they use replaceable batteries, it’s your job to replace them. And if something isn’t working, you need to let your landlord or property manager know as soon as possible. A quick message is all it takes.

The bottom line?

Know where your smoke alarms are. Test them occasionally - press the button. If it’s loud, it’s working. Many rentals now use photoelectric alarms with sealed long-life batteries, which means less maintenance and fewer middle-of-the-night beeps, while still meeting the legal requirements. If you’re ever unsure about the smoke alarms in your home, test them and let your landlord or property manager know if anything seems off. A quick message is often all it takes.

They’re small devices, doing an important job.

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