Criminal Charges Sought Against Landlord for Lack of Smoke Alarms

[Brandon Turner]

Very interesting article. Hopefully a lesson to all the landlords here ...

Criminal Charges Sought Against Landlord for Lack of Smoke Alarms

[Joel Owens]

Couldn't you set up a monthly inspection where it is signed off that air filters and batteries are changed and detectors checked??

Filters and batteries are not that much plus you could check for unreported water leaks with plumbing and electrical issues.

Seems like an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You are right about the tenant taking the batteries out. I have seen some take smoke alarms off and use them as cigarette ash trays. Didn't they use to be hard wired in some places?? I guess because of placement and cost now they use batteries. I wish they made smoke alarm batteries that lasted say 5 or 10 years even if more money to resolve the issue. Something like "landlord smoke detectors" versus home owners who will deal with the replacing of the batteries but not tenants.