According to the law, you must have working smoke alarms in your rental property in NZ. The smoke alarms must be photoelectric and have long battery life or they can be hard-wired with a mains power supply. 

There are certain requirement that you must follow when installing the smoke alarms. Smoke detectors must be installed; 

Mandatory Requirements

The smoke alarm regulations apply to all properties covered by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), including traditional rental homes, boarding houses, caravans, and sleepouts.

Placement Requirements

Bedrooms: There must be at least one smoke detectors within 3 meters of each bedroom door or in each room where a person sleeps.

Multi-Storey Homes: Each level of a multi-storey property needs at least one smoke alarm.

Boarding Houses: Each tenant’s room (or within 3 meters of the room’s entrance) and every level of the building should have smoke alarms.

Maintenance Responsibilities

Tenants are responsible for changing the batteries in replaceable-battery smoke alarms during their tenancy.

Landlords must ensure that smoke alarms in NZ are working at the beginning of every tenancy.

Alarm Type and Standards

All new or replacement alarms installed after 1 July 2016 must be photoelectric smoke alarms with long-life batteries lasting at least 8 years.

Alarms must meet one of several specified standards, such as Australian Standard AS3786:1993 or international equivalents like UL217 (USA) or ISO12239 (International).

Hardwired alarms are permitted, but they must meet the same placement and type requirements as battery-operated photoelectric alarms.

Replacement of Existing Alarms in NZ

Existing alarms do not need immediate replacement if they are in the required locations, but they must be replaced when they reach their expiry date (often indicated on the alarm) or stop working.

Additional Recommendations

Although not a regulatory requirement, it’s recommended by the New Zealand Fire Service to install smoke alarms in each bedroom, as well as within 3 meters of every bedroom door for enhanced safety.

Smoke Alarm Maintenance Guide

Keeping your smoke alarms in good working condition is essential for home safety. Here’s a simple maintenance schedule to ensure they remain functional:

Monthly

Test the Alarm: Press the test button to ensure the alarm sounds. Use a broom handle if it’s hard to reach.

Every Six Months

Clean the Alarms: Gently vacuum or dust the smoke alarms to prevent dust buildup and avoid false alarms.

Annually

Check Expiry Date: Look for the expiry date on the side or bottom of the alarm. If none is visible, it’s best to replace the unit.

Replace 9V Battery (if applicable): Replace batteries in alarms that use 9V batteries yearly. Regular beeping is a sign of a low battery.

Every 10 Years

Replace Alarms: Install new long-life photoelectric smoke alarms to maintain effectiveness.

For Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms

Follow the testing and maintenance instructions provided by the installer for safe operation.

As a landlord, you must ensure that your property complies with smoke alarms in NZ requirements. If landlords don’t meet their obligations, they could face financial penalties of up to $7,200. If tenants don’t meet their obligations they could face financial penalties of up to $4,000.According to the law, you must have working smoke alarms in your rental property. The smoke alarms must be photoelectric and have long battery life or they can be hard wired with a mains power supply.