Landlords Required to Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

By Nathan M

Services for Real Estate Pros with Rentec Direct Property Management Software

February 21, 2012 02:17 AM

My home state of Oregon recently passed requirements stating that carbon monoxide detectors are required in buildings that either:

Has an attached garage, OR
Has a fuel burning appliances (furnace, etc)

California and many other states have also passed similar regulation requiring property owners (landlords) to install these devices. Twenty-five states currently require carbon monoxide detectors, and the trend is spreading quickly. In some cases the deadlines have already passed on states which have already approved legislation requiring detectors.

Do you own property, or are you managing someone's property, within the United States and have you already installed carbon monoxide devices according to your local regulation? If you've answered NO, you could be in serious legal jeopardy. Check out the following list of states and their regulations to see if your state has these requriements. If so, take care of it right away.

Carbon Monoxide State Statutes

Don't stop there though. Its not enough to just install it. What if the tenant disconnects or damages it. What if it's removed and they claim it was never there and an accident occurred. It's best not to be in he said / she said situations when it comes to life threatening situations that carbon monoxide poisoning can cause. If you install it yourself, take a picture of the unit installed and scan the receipt and store both in your rental software, or in a safe location. If you hired it out, store the receipt and ensure the receipt states the address and work done, specifically stating that it was a CO2 detector being installed.

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Nathan is a member of Rentec Direct who provides property management software, tenant ach payment processing, and tenant credit and criminal reports for property managers and landlords.

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Jon Eliason

EXIT Realty Advantage Pagosa, Pagosa Springs, Colorado - Pagosa Springs, CO

Nathan ~ Carbon Monoxide Detectors were required on any home in Colorado, conveyed/leased from July 01, 2009 and beyond. This is still an issue being dealt with today. As it is becoming "The norm" I see more and more Agents here, have already informed their Sellers/Landlords. It's a good thing. I inform my sellers, of this 2 1/2 year old law at the listing presentation.

Feb 21, 2012 02:27 AM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

You have to LOVE Virginia! We have a HIGHLY educated populace; however, I have and a COLLEGE GRADUATE advise me that I had to install one for her townhouse - no garage, no fuel buring appliance - ELECTRIC heat pump.

Virginia

Va. Code Ann. § 55-248.16 - Tennant to maintain dwelling unit.

Va. Code Ann. § 55-248.18 – Tenant Obligations

Prohibits the tenant from removing or tampering with a carbon monoxide detector installed by a landlord.

Authorizes tenant to install carbon monoxide detection devices that the tenant may believe necessary to ensure his safety.

Feb 21, 2012 06:42 PM

Mark Delgado

houses for rent, Solano County & Glen Cove - Benicia, CA

Benicia and Vallejo, Property Management, rental h

We went through a huge exercise last year when the CA law went into effect and we had CO detectors installed in every rental that we manage. Now it's just part of our routine.

Feb 22, 2012 01:19 PM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I see Hawaii is not on the list of states. Maybe because we can leave our windows open all the time, and most homes don't have furnacees.

Feb 28, 2012 09:45 AM

Anonymous

Shelley Crocker

Landlord laws and responsibilities for the state of PA. are one of the worst in the country. We just had a major evacuation because of a very bad gas leak out front of my apartment. 127 apartments evacuated, several tenants and pets. We were evacuated for several hours. I have been feeling very ill for several months, headaches, nausea, fatigue, confusion, weakness, balance issues. No one could figure out what was wrong.I have been to several Dr. I bet it has been slowly leaking for months. The leak was found directly in front of my unit.I talked with a few neighbors who said they have been also feeling a bit ill, with some of the same symptoms. I mentioned smelling gas a few months ago to my landlord and she blew it off, saying our apartment are all electric. Only for me to find out later that the heat is gas. I am going out right now to buy carbon monoxide detectors. That's why I was looking to see which states require them. Although I pretty well knew in advance that PA. did not because the county inspector did not check for them, only for the fire extinguisher and smoke detectors. Very sad. They should be REQUIRED in every state! I'm also making an appointment to have my carbon monoxide levels checked asap.

Does anyone know of any petition or any other way in which I could advocate that carbon monoxide detectors be a requirement in the state of PA. which the landlord must supply?? How does one go about getting their state to pay attention to such matters?

Apr 12, 2012 06:38 PM

Landlords Required to Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

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Nathan M

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