Share:
Did you know… smoke detectors are required?
The installation of smoke detectors in your apartment is legally required and usually part of your lease. According to the New York Fire Department, “Landlords must install smoke detectors in multiple-dwelling apartment buildings.” Since most fire deaths occur at home with non working smoke detectors, it is important for you and your landlord to regularly check that your smoke detector works.
Did you know… tenants responsibility for smoke detectors?
According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Ninety percent of single family homes across the United States have at least one smoke detector installed.” That’s great, however, it is also estimated that about one-third of all residential smoke detectors in the US aren’t functioning correctly, due to missing or dead batteries. It is the tenants’ responsibility to ensure that the batteries are up-to-date in the apartment complex. Also, make sure that the smoke detector is installed correctly. If your battery is up-to-date but the smoke detector is installed incorrectly; you have defeated your purpose. Another thing to be wary about is your neighbors. Shared housing means assuming risk from other tenants. It’s a team effort to ensure the safety of the whole complex.
Did you know… statistics of smoke detectors?
Did you know… penalties for nonworking smoke detectors?
Since smoke detectors are legally required there are many different penalties/fines for not having one, or a working one; it may depend on your lease. If you are in Oklahoma , Fire Chief Larry Mullikin states that, “If a code enforcement officer finds five non-working smoke detectors in a building and evidence that someone removed the batteries, a fine may be accessed. Fines are structured at $100 for each detector for each day the violation exists.” Although this is a hefty price, it’s not as bad as Lambton in Ontario Canada. According to Fire Prevention Officer Tom Marshall, “the fine for not having a working smoke detector is $235 for EACH non-working detector.”
Did you know … you might need a fire escape?
Living on the second (and especially 3+) story of apartments brings more concerns to the table. Tenants should have a smoke detector in each room; in a case of emergency, tenants in the higher levels of the apartment will require a longer time period to escape danger. According to the Washington State Patrol, “During a fire, you may have to escape in the dark. If your building has outside metal fire-escape stairs, ask your building’s owner or landlord to show you how to use them. Be familiar with all exits, even windows.”
Moving into a new apartment or rental property can be both exciting and stressful. From packing up your belongings to coordinating logistics, there’s a lot to manage. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is what to expect on move-in day regarding the condition of your new unit. Surprisingly, according to recent surveys, a significant […]
· Mar 12, 2024
On ApartmentRatings, real renters have the ability to rate and review their apartment communities based on their experience touring and or living in the communities. ApartmentRatings offers renters the ability to see what life is like at a community through a report card grade style format called epIQ. Every month we highlight apartment communities whose […]
· Feb 28, 2024
On ApartmentRatings, real renters have the ability to rate and review their apartment communities based on their experience touring and/or living in them. ApartmentRatings offers renters the ability to see what life is truly like at a community through a report card grade style format called epIQ. Every month we highlight a major city across […]
· Jan 31, 2024