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Smoke detectors in apartments in a condominiumDec 05, 2023

Can Condo boards require that every unit have a working smoke alarm? If one apartment has a non-working alarm, and a fire starts in that unit, it can spread throughout the building endangering everyone. I realize a benefit of condominiums is that there are fewer rules and regulations vs. cooperatives, but an owner with a non-working smoke alarm is putting everyone in the building at risk. Thanks for any advice.

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Working smoke alarms - Sandra Maxwell Dec 06, 2023

The Board should not have to require a "working smoke alarm" The tenant should want and need one. I believe it is a requirement from the city to have a working smoke alarm. That's a no brainer. every unit should have a smoke alarm. I may be wrong, but I also believe that it may be a violation that the unit does not have a working smoke alarm. It can save a or many lives.

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Smoke alarm requirement - Elisa Dec 10, 2023

Thanks for your comment, but my question actually referred to the OWNER of the apartment, not their tenants. For example, we have one owner who is routinely delinquent in their payments, and who is hard to communicate with as they have an email that does not always work. I would like to add a rule that all OWNERS must have a working smoke alarm. My question was: Is that an appropriate rule to have?

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Working Smoke Alarms - Steven424 Dec 11, 2023

I believe this answers your question:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/smoke-carbon-monoxide-detectors.page

It supersedes all proprietary leases and house rules that do not conform to its requirements.

I hope this helps,
--- Steve

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