Fireco Explains the Responsibilities of Landlords and Renters Around Fire Safety Equipment in Auckland Residential Rentals
Residential Property Rentals: Fire Safety Obligations of Landlords and Tenants
When it comes to fire safety equipment in Auckland rentals, it can be confusing to know who’s obligated to provide and pay for what. The rules around different kinds of fire safety equipment differ: for instance, landlords are legally required to provide smoke alarms, but are only encouraged to provide fire extinguishers. But who’s responsible for maintaining the fire safety equipment in an Auckland rental? In this blog, Fireco explains the responsibilities of landlords and tenants in residential rentals.
Residential Landlord Responsibilities:
While landlords are not currently required by law to install handheld fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, it is recommended that they consider providing them as part of a comprehensive fire safety plan. Smoke alarms, on the other hand, are compulsory in Auckland residential rental properties.
Here are the key responsibilities for landlords:
- Install Smoke Alarms: Landlords must install smoke alarms and ensure they are working at the start of each tenancy.
- Maintain Functionality: Smoke alarms must remain functional throughout the lease period.
- Placement: Smoke alarms should be installed within 3 metres of bedroom doors or in every sleeping area, and on each level of a home.
- Use Appropriate Alarms: New alarms should be photoelectric, have a battery life of at least eight years or be hard-wired, installed per manufacturer instructions, and meet international standards.
- Existing Alarms: Allow existing alarms to remain if they are functional and within their expiry date.
If Auckland landlords don’t meet their obligations to provide smoke alarms, they face penalties of up to $7200, according to the NZ Government’s Tenancy Services website.
Landlords can make sure they’ve provided all the necessary fire safety equipment with NZ Fire Emergency’s checklist here.
Residential Tenant Responsibilities:
For tenants, having a fire extinguisher is a wise investment to protect themselves and their belongings in case of an emergency.
These are the key responsibilities for tenants/renters:
- Request a Fire Extinguisher: Ask the landlord or property manager to provide a fire extinguisher as part of the fire safety plan.
- Purchase a Fire Extinguisher if Necessary: If the landlord declines, the renter can purchase a fire extinguisher. Make sure it’s placed optimally for easy access during an emergency.
- Maintain Extinguishers: Regularly maintain fire extinguishers, checking for a yellow tag indicating the last service date – check out our guide on fire extinguisher maintenance here, and contact Fireco if it has been over 12 months since the last service.
Regarding smoke alarms, tenants have specific responsibilities as well:
- Don’t Tamper with Alarms: Tenants must not damage, remove, or disconnect smoke alarms.
- Replace Batteries: Check and replace dead batteries in older smoke alarms.
- Report Issues: Notify the landlord of any issues with their alarms immediately.
If tenants don’t follow their responsibilities, they face penalties of up to $4000. Read more on smoke alarms in rental properties on NZ Government’s Tenancy Services site here
Why Fire Safety Equipment Matters in Auckland Rentals:
Having basic firefighting equipment in Auckland rental homes is crucial. In the event of a fire, the fire service response time could be between 7-10 minutes, meanwhile the fire can double in size every 30 seconds – this is why having smoke alarms installed and a fire extinguisher on hand means the difference between a minor incident and a major disaster.
Every rental property needs fire safety equipment. A fire extinguisher can make a significant difference in the critical initial moments of a fire, potentially saving lives and property.
For professional advice and a free quote on your fire safety equipment, contact the Fireco team here.
