Quadplex requirements and differences

[Eric Mcginn]

Im excited to have just bought a nice Quadplex in Sanford, southern Maine. 

I already own a duplex and sfh that I have rented to LTR tenants for several years so I'm familiar with deing with tenants. 

However, I'm learning that things might be different with a quadplex vs duplex. At least code enforcement seems to be a little stricter with it. 

First off, am I necessarily responsible for walkway shoveling? At my duplex I have a plow come through but the tenants and responsible for their own walkway and stairs. Id like to do the same thing here and will eventually put it in the lease. 

They are also asking for all sorts of exterior and interior egress illumination which had me surprised. 

Lastly are third floor bedrooms which have egress windows that are 22' tall so I have issues and may need fire escapes. Anyone have thoughts or ideas about that? 

They wanted me to run fire sprinklers but it's looking like I'd need a new water main and the total cost would be $30-$50k so I'm planning on dealing with egress instead. 

Thanks for any advice! 

[Jaysen Medhurst]

@Eric Mcginn, you already have a great response from @Dan Weber, but let me add that I think there's a lot of risk in making your MFR tenants responsible for snow removal. SFR is kind of it's own thing here. If (and when) one of the MFR tenants doesn't shovel, what happens if someone falls and hurts themselves? You think the lawyers are going to be looking at the tenant? No way, my friend. It's going to be you.