New smoke alarm requirements for landlords and tenants came into effect today under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Working smoke alarms are now required in each sleeping space or within 3 metres of each bedroom door, self-contained caravans or sleep outs must have at least one working smoke alarm, and multi-story units must have at least one working smoke alarm on each level.
Landlords are responsible for checking smoke alarms still work at the beginning of every new tenancy with tenants responsible for replacing batteries during the tenancy.
Long life photoelectric smoke alarms are now required where there are no existing alarms and when existing smoke alarms are replaced it must be by the long-life photoelectric versions.
These have a built-in battery that lasts for up to 10 years.
"Just last week a smoke alarm prevented a potentially devastating house fire in Whanganui, after being installed by the landlord the day before," said National Advisor Fire Risk Management's Todd O'Donoghue.
"A neighbour called 111 after hearing the smoke alarm from next door. While the property suffered some smoke damage, it could've been a lot worse by the time flames and smoke were visible."
"Most importantly, no-one was harmed. House fires can kill in less than five minutes, which is why early warning is so important, especially if you're asleep," he said.
"(Long life photoelectric smoke alarms) are great for rentals because the batteries are built-in, so you never have to change them, and the alarm can't be tampered with." Mr O'Donoghue said.
There have been 19 avoidable house fire fatalities in New Zealand since July 2015, with 11 or 58% of them occurring in rental properties.
