15 Jan Landlords and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Are landlords required to install Carbon Monoxide Detectors? A family of four just perished in Arizona and it looks like Carbon Monoxide poisoning may be the reason. For a link to the article click here.
As a landlord in Illinois it seems at one time they were required. If not by the state it may have been at the local or county level or a requirement of the Section 8 program.
On two occasions I have almost died due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The first time I was in kindergarten and it was a cracked plenum in the furnace of my parents home. The second time it was an office I was renting and guess what? It was a cracked plenum for the furnace. If a friend of mine had not noticed my lack of coherence on the phone I would not be here to write this.
Reasons to Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Even if not required by law, here are three reasons why you should provide Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
1. You should care enough about the people you rent to to protect them from harm caused by your property.
2. If you have any conscience this type of tragedy will haunt you for the rest of your life. You don’t need that type of negativity in your life.
3. The lawsuits for wrongful death, civil liabilities and other media attention will consume most of your waking hours for a couple of years. Especially if it was proven you failed to maintain the property and contributed to the death of one or more individuals.
Asset Protection Doesn’t Matter
It won’t matter if you have great insurance, an LLC or whatever asset protection plan the latest guru sold you. You will be vilified by the media and contribute to the negative Snydley Whiplash image that the public has developed concerning Slumlords.
Call to Action
The expense of purchase and installation is minimal. Do yourself a favor and protect your residents.
For a link about choosing Carbon Monoxide Detectors Click Here.
For a link to the Illinois law Click Here. Special thanks to Sue Williams for forwarding the link.
Carbon Monoxide detectors have a life expectancy of about ten years. Make sure to remove and properly dispose of old CO detectors as recommended by the manufacturer.
Good Luck and Good Investing
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