Is A Landlord Responsible for Providing a Fire Extinguisher?

Question

Is it the responsibility of a landlord in the State of Indiana, to provide a fire extinguisher for a tenet, or it it the responsibility of the tenet?

Answer 1

Usually the fire department does periodic inspections  and reports it to the landlord's insurance company if he is not in compliance with the law.  Check with your local fire department for local law.

Answer 2

Absolutely not.  That is a tenant responsibility.

Along the same token, you don't see them on the inside of hotel rooms either.

Answer 3

No, they are not required.

And a smart landlord would not supply one.

If you supply one you are responsible for the yearly inspections and are liable if it does not operate, is insufficient, etc etc.

The landlord needs fire insurance to cover his property, and smoke detectors, but not extinguishers.

Answer 4

Anything thats required by law (smoke detectors are a good example) the landlord is required to supply and maintain.

If fire extinguishers are required in your area then yes, the landlord should supply, however if they aren't, then the landlord has no obligation.

Your best bet is to call your local fire department and ask them if extinguishers are required, be sure you tell them the "type" of housing your in, such as a single family home, multi unit apartment, etc. as the rules can vary by that.

In most areas (it could vary at the city and county area) they are required in common areas (such as hallways) but each individual unit isn't required to have one.

As far as another poster saying the fire marshal inspects and turns over a report to the insurance company, that just simply isn't true.  As a general rule, fire marshals could care less about insurance, their concern is dangerous situations.  They also generally only inspect common areas unless there is a specific request or problem.

Now having said all this and defending the landlord, I'll turn around and say, law or not, he is simply stupid not to supply one, but there's no laws against a lower IQ.

Answer 5

This varies from state to state and even city to city. In the city where I live a landlord is required only to provide smoke detectors. It is the responsibility of the tenant to make sure that there are always fresh batteries in them. We are not required to provide fire extinguishers. If a landlord were smart though,they would have them in place for his own peace of mind.