Tenant Charged with Tampering with Smoke Detector

 The investigation into a fire that had started in the basement apartment of a tri-plex has determined that the blaze was deliberately set and that the tenant in the lower unit had disabled the smoke detector provided by the landlord. The Orillia Packet & Times reports that the other residents and neighbors are fortunate that they were able to avoid injury during the event. The damage to the other units and building are said to be extensive. The charges against the tenant address the fact that the safety equipment would have been working had it been maintained correctly and not tampered with.

 Actions such as this from tenants are what contribute to the overall stereotype of destructive behaviors found in those that rent. Tenants that are clean, quiet and respectful of the property that they reside at sometimes find themselves considered as risks by property owners. In the effort to try to avoid renting to someone who will do damage to the building, landlords may inadvertently overlook quality tenants simply because of their age or income level.

 

The efforts of landlords to maintain buildings with proper safety equipment can be dissolved if tenants do not choose to maintain equipment. The only other option to ensure the correct operation of detectors and alarms may be to upgrade to a build in system that would flag itself if a particular unit is not fully operational. The expense in many cases would be quite high as older buildings would be difficult to wire. The other draw back to built in systems is the risk that a power outage or system failure would knock out service to all rental units at once. Battery operated alarms can be used independent of each other and therefore offer a low risk option for landlords.

 

Equipment would require inspection and service regardless of the method used. The partnership of tenants and landlords with respect to fire safety is vital. Fines and punishment towards those with a reckless disregard to the health and safety of others must be decisive and appropriate for the type of offense. Compensation for the ordeal suffered by other tenants and the landlord would be an ideal and reasonable consideration.