Landlord Charged

Tuesday, 8 September 2015 15:46

A landlord in Woodstock is out $1,500 after not installing a carbon monoxide detector.

WOODSTOCK - A landlord in Woodstock has been fined for $1,500 for failing to ensure a carbon monoxide alarm was installed near the sleeping areas of a home in Woodstock.

Fire crews were alerted to the problem after responding to a blaze at 24 Brock Street on July 4th. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and limit the damage. However after they did an investigation into the cause of the fire, they noticed that a carbon monoxide alarm was not installed near the sleeping area on the first floor.

This is a second conviction this year within the City of Woodstock where a property owner has pleaded guilty for failing to install a carbon monoxide alarm in a residential dwelling house with a fine established by the court.

The Woodstock Fire Department is reminding property owners that the legislation respecting carbon monoxide alarms took effect on April 15, 2015 for residential properties with up to six suites. For properties with more than six suites, the law takes effect on October 15, 2015. The law requires a carbon monoxide alarm to be installed adjacent to the sleeping areas of the suite containing a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or a storage garage, or for multi-suite buildings, in each suite that has a common wall/floor/ceiling with a room containing the same.

With rental properties, the owners/landlords are responsible for installing, replacing and testing carbon monoxide alarms, including battery replacement. Tenants are required to notify the owner/landlord of any issue surrounding missing/damaged/non-functioning carbon monoxide alarms as soon as they become aware of the issue. Owners, Landlords and Tenants are encouraged to contact the Woodstock Fire Department: Fire Prevention Division to discuss Fire Code requirements if they have any questions.

Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms today and ensure they are working!