Landlord Responsibilities

The landlord plays an important role in keeping people safe and is responsible for  ensuring Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms are always maintained in operating condition. Poorly maintained alarms delay residents’ awareness of fire, hurting evacuation efforts, possibly leading to harm or even death. 

 Requirements Under Ontario Fire Code 

• Landlords must test smoke & CO alarms annually and after every change in tenancy. 
• Landlords must prepare a written record when performing smoke & CO alarm tests. 
• Smoke Alarms must be installed on every storey of your home/rental and outside all sleeping areas. 
• CO Alarms must be installed on each floor and outside all sleeping areas if your home or rental property has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage. 
• Hard-wired alarms are required to be replaced with hard-wired devices, not battery-operated alarms. 

 Smoke and CO Alarm Tips 

• To test smoke & CO alarms, press the test button located on the alarms. The alarm signal should sound and so should the strobe if on alarm. If interconnected alarms are installed, all alarms should sound simultaneously when one alarm is tested. 
• Replace alarm batteries at least once a year & whenever the low-battery warning chirps. 
• Smoke & CO alarms wear out over time. Replace alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions OR every 10 years. 

Minimum Fines Under Fire Code 

• Fail to install smoke alarm where required $360. 
• Fail to maintain smoke alarm in operating condition $360. 
• Disable smoke alarm to make it inoperable $360. 
• Fail to replace smoke alarm within time frame in the manufacturer’s instructions $235. 
• Fail to prepare written record of test as required $235. 
• Fail to make record available to Chief Fire Official on request $235. 

REMEMBER: It is the landlord's obligation to keep written records of all testing and maintenance. These records will help to demonstrate due diligence in maintaining the Smoke Alarms & CO alarms in operating condition. You can download a Landlord Smoke Alarms Maintenance and Test Record Template to keep track of your alarm tests.