News: Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
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Under California law, smoke detectors with disposable batteries are vanishing from store shelves.
But they don’t have to disappear from your rental units. If you have an old fashioned device, you can leave it alone. Just make sure it works and has fresh batteries. Have some old fashioned smoke detectors in stock? You can install them, but only until July.
New regulations are being implemented across a variety of dates, and this has caused confusion about what landlords must do and when.
Watch this video from the California Apartment Association to help clear the air. Still have questions? Check out… Read More
A California law taking effect July 1 aims to eventually phase out smoke detectors that take replaceable batteries.
For now, however, landlords just need to make sure they’re existing smoke alarms are working. So don’t go ripping your nine-volt powered smoke alarm from the ceiling.
The law first focuses on the folks selling smoke detectors. It says battery-powered smoke alarms sold in the Golden State must have non-replaceable, non-removable batteries that last for at least 10 years. This regulation, however, has a yearlong exception that will keep old-fashioned-but-in-stock smoke detectors from going to waste.
Property owners, managing agents, contractors, wholesalers… Read More
The California Apartment Association’s Ask an Attorney seminar series made its Solano County debut this week with a question-and-answer session in Fairfield.
The seminar, held Thursday, Jan. 9, provided a venue for members to receive expert input about legal issues that owners and managers commonly face.
Rental housing professionals asked about topics such as service animals, medical marijuana, bedbugs and new smoke alarm requirements.
The speaker, attorney Brian Rosales, answered questions to clear any confusion and help property managers operate legally.
Rosales, for example, urged attendees to inquire carefully regarding a tenant’s need for a service animal.
“You cannot ask… Read More
UPDATE: Reminder: Long-lasting-smoke-alarm law takes effect July 1
The state has loosened some of the deadlines associated with a smoke detector law going into effect next year. An article posted last week did not reflect these changes.
At its core, the law still requires that a battery-powered smoke alarm have a non-replaceable, non-removable battery that will last for at least 10 years.
Where it gets tricky is when the new types of smoke detectors must be installed.
A previous article did not reflect some follow-up legislation that, in many cases, will delay this requirement until 2015. This change could prevent… Read More
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Reminder: Long-lasting-smoke-alarm law takes effect July 1
More time granted in smoke detector law
Working detectors probably won’t need immediate replacement
Under a law taking effect Jan. 1, 2014, you’ll need to install smoke detectors that can keep working on the same battery for 10 years or more.
But chances are, you won’t have to do it yet.
You only need to install the 10-year battery models when:
A current detector isn’t working.
Work is done to a unit requiring a permit – and when the value of the work totals $1,000 or more.
In 2016, more requirements… Read More
The California Apartment Association and Vallejo Fire Department have extinguished some confusion over the city’s new Fire and Life Safety inspection program.
After notifying property owners in mid-January that annual inspections would begin, the Vallejo Fire Department began the checkups on multifamily residences this past spring. The Vallejo Fire Department had not conducted fire inspections in more than 15 years, and most small-income property owners had no idea what to expect.
Moreover, the Fire Department hadn’t told owners they could schedule and be present for the inspection. Instead, fire inspectors began arriving unannounced and listed violations in poor handwriting that… Read More