Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Are Required by Code in Rental Properties, including Air BnBs

New Hampshire State Fire Code requires electronically powered detectors in multi-unit residential occupancies (apartments, rooming & boarding houses, bed & breakfast inns, dormitories, hotels etc.) since 1999. (NFPA 72)

Interconnected AC powered smoke alarms are required in one and two family dwellings, but there is an exception to allow continued use of battery operated detectors in owner occupied homes.

The fire code ( RSA 153:10-a) also requires carbon monoxide detectors in all rental units, defined as “any residential unit in a building or single family dwelling which provides permanent or transient living facilities for one or more persons, which is occupied by tenants on a rental basis. This term shall include but not be limited to: hotels, motels, dormitories, apartments, duplex units, rooms rented out of the home of another, and single family dwellings, so long as they are rented"

The owner of the rental unit shall be responsible for maintaining the automatic fire warning device and carbon monoxide detection device in a suitable condition.

Outside burning permits are also required in the name of the tenant for any outside fireplaces or fire pits. A Sate of New Hampshire Owner's Permission form is to be submitted with any outside burning permit for outside burning by someone other than the property owner. The Owner permission form and application are abailable on the Newbury Fire Website. www.newburyfd.org.