Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are required by law in all rental homes and are vital for protecting you and your household in the event of a fire. Your landlord must ensure the property has the right type and number of alarms, that they’ re correctly installed, working when your tenancy begins, and located in the right areas. Tenants also share responsibility for keeping them in good working condition.
WHERE SMOKE ALARMS MUST BE LOCATED
• Within three metres of each bedroom or sleeping area
• On each level of a multi-storey home
• In self-contained areas such as sleepouts or attached units
WHAT TYPE OF ALARMS ARE REQUIRED
New smoke alarms must be long-life photoelectric alarms or hard-wired units that meet New Zealand safety standards. These alarms are designed to be reliable, sensitive to smoke, and low maintenance.
RESPONSIBILITIES DURING YOUR TENANCY
• Your landlord must ensure smoke alarms are correctly installed and working when you move in.
• You are responsible for replacing batteries if they are removable, and for notifying your property manager promptly if a smoke alarm fails, is damaged, or appears not to be working.
• Smoke alarms must not be moved, covered, taken down, or tampered with. If you believe an alarm is placed incorrectly or is causing inconvenience, please contact your property manager so we can assess the situation properly.
Smoke alarms are one of the simplest and most effective safety protections in your home. If you’ re ever unsure about an alarm’ s placement or condition, please get in touch so we can support you.
26 TENANT INFORMATION GUIDE