Mid-tenancy, an older-style smoke alarm with a replaceable battery starts beeping because the battery is flat. Who must replace the battery?
Correct Answer
D) The tenant, who must also tell the landlord of any other alarm problem.
Under the smoke alarm rules the landlord must make sure alarms work at the start of each tenancy. During the tenancy, tenants must replace dead batteries in older-style alarms, not damage or disconnect alarms, and tell the landlord promptly about problems. The landlord must also keep alarms in working order during the tenancy.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Tenancy Services places battery replacement in older alarms on the tenant during the tenancy.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: The landlord, within 24 hours of the tenant reporting the flat battery.
Tenants replace dead batteries in older alarms during the tenancy.
Option B: The fire service, which provides free battery replacement for rentals.
Replacing batteries is the tenant's duty, not the fire service's.
Option C: The property manager, at the next routine inspection within four weeks.
The tenant must replace the flat battery, not wait for an inspection.
Background Knowledge for Property Management
Source: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/maintenance-and-inspections/smoke-alarms/
Exam Tip for Property Management
Landlord: working alarms at the start and kept working. Tenant: dead batteries in older alarms, and reporting faults.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Property Management Questions
- •Assuming the landlord must replace flat batteries in older-style alarms.
More Property Management Questions
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A periodic tenancy began 8 months ago and the rent has never been raised. If the landlord gives written notice today, when is the earliest a rent increase can take effect?
A property manager discovers a tenant has been subletting rooms without permission for 6 months, generating significant income. The head tenant is otherwise compliant and rent is current. What factors would most influence the Tenancy Tribunal's decision on termination?
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- → Which of the following is NOT a mandatory requirement for tenancy agreements under the Residential Tenancies Act?
- → How much notice must a landlord give a tenant before conducting a routine property inspection?
- → A tenant has given 21 days' notice to terminate a periodic tenancy but wants to leave 5 days early. What must happen for this to be legally acceptable?
- → A tenant claims bond refund for $1,200 but the landlord disputes $400 for carpet cleaning. The tenant disagrees and applies to the Tenancy Tribunal. What happens to the bond during this dispute?
- → How often may a landlord carry out routine inspections during a tenancy?
- → A landlord wants to increase rent for a periodic tenancy. What is the minimum notice period they must give?
- → During a property inspection, a property manager discovers the tenant has installed a spa pool without permission. What is the most appropriate first step?
- → By what date did all private rental properties in New Zealand have to comply with the healthy homes standards?
- → A property manager conducts an inspection and finds the tenant has installed a heat pump without permission. The tenancy agreement prohibits alterations without consent. What can the landlord legally require?
- → During a property inspection, a landlord notices the tenant has changed the locks. Under what circumstances is this legally permitted?
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