As a landlord, you have obligations to ensure you're maintaining your property to a suitable standard. This includes ensuring that it's fire safe for renters.

Here's a quick and easy checklist you can use to spot any risks or hazards that might cause a fire or reduce fire safety in your rental properties.

You might also want to ask your tenants to look at the renter's fire safety checklist to ensure they're doing their part.

Smoke alarms

You're legally required to provide adequate smoke alarms in your rental properties. Make sure:

• There's at least one long-life photoelectric smoke alarms in each bedroom (or within 3 metres of each bedroom door).
• There's at least one long-life photoelectric smoke alarm on each level of the house.
• There's at least one long-life photoelectric smoke alarm in any caravans or sleep-outs.

For more information about your smoke alarm obligations, visit the Tenancy New Zealand website. 

General fire safety

There are plenty of other things you can do to ensure your rental properties are fire safe. Not all of these are a legal requirement, but they will help protect your property and the people who live there.

• Any electrical appliances you have provided for tenants (e.g. fridges, washers and dryers) are in good condition, without frayed cords.
• The house number of the property is clearly visible from the street and can be read by emergency services.
• If there’s a useable fireplace in the property, the chimney is in good condition and has been cleaned recently (this is your responsibility).
• There's an appropriate fire extinguisher in the property and your tenants know how and when to use it
• There are plenty of power points in the property, so tenants will not have to use extension cords or overload outlets.