House committee substitute makes the following changes to 2nd edition.
Deletes all provisions in the previous edition and replaces them with AN ACT PROVIDING THAT AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2012, LANDLORDS SHALL, WHEN INSTALLING A NEW SMOKE ALARM OR REPLACING AN EXISTING SMOKE ALARM, INSTALL A TAMPER-RESISTANT, TEN-YEAR LITHIUM BATTERY SMOKE ALARM EXCEPT IN CERTAIN CASES, AND PROVIDING THAT LANDLORDS MAY DEDUCT FROM THE TENANT SECURITY DEPOSIT DAMAGE TO A SMOKE ALARM OR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA CHILD FATALITY TASK FORCE.
Amends GS 42-42 to require a landlord installing a new smoke alarm or replacing an existing alarm after December 31, 2012, to install a tamper-resistant, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm, unless the dwelling unit is equipped with a (1) hardwired smoke alarm with a battery backup or (2) smoke alarm combined with a carbon monoxide alarm that meets specified statutory requirements. Makes conforming changes. Amends GS 42-43 to add that a tenant is not required to replace an alarm battery of this type in the dwelling unit. Changes the term detector to alarm throughout the applicable statutes.
Amends GS 42-51 to allow a tenant’s security deposit to be used to cover damage or destruction of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.
Effective December 31, 2012.