Residential Property Q & A

Q1:  What are the requirements of Maine's Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Law in the purchase of a home?
 
A:    As of November 1, 2009, Maine law requires that the purchaser of a single-family dwelling or a multi-apartment building must certify in a signed and dated document at closing that the dwelling or apartment building is provided with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the law. Please refer to questions 2 & 3 below.

Q2:   Smoke Detectors: What kind and how many?

A:     Smoke detectors may be photoelectric, ionization, or a combination of both, except if they are within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom with a tub or shower, in which case they must be photoelectric type detectors. In existing homes, they may be powered by electrical service (hard-wired), by battery, or by a combination of both. They must be installed in each area within, or giving access to, a bedroom. After October 31, 2009, smoke detectors installed in a multifamily building or a newly constructed single-family dwelling must be powered both by electrical service in the building or dwelling and by battery.

Q3:   Carbon Monoxide Detectors: What kind and how many?

A:    Carbon monoxide detectors must be powered by the electrical service in the building. They do not have to be hard-wired, but may be the plug-in variety (which plugs into any wall outlet). They must have battery back-up. They must be placed in each area within, or giving access to, bedrooms. After September 12, 2009, they are required in new single family dwellings, in each apartment of a multi-family building, in any addition or restoration of a home that adds at least one bedroom, and in any conversion of a building to a single-family dwelling.