Smoke and CO Detectors

[Mike Kennedy]

Health and Safety issue.

 

[CANative]

But how does that affect market value.

Health and Safety? So with the ordinances it's dangerous to not have them but without the ordinance it's safe?

Besides, it looks like much of that is intended for rental housing.

 

[CANative]

Another thing I just thought up. :icon_lol:

The individual property is not unsafe or unhealthy because it lacks smoke and CO detectors. But it could be safer and healthier. And that's what the ordinance is about. It's a proactive measure that applies to an entire class of structure in an entire geographic area.

This is a matter of disclosing the lack and disclosing the ordinance to the client so THEY can decided what they want done before making a loan.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Smoke alarms have been a requirement much longer the the CO detectors and I have yet been required to indicate those are in place and in working order.

I still contend this is a "home inspection" issue and not an appraisal one. Colorado real estate contracts do have language concerning the CO detectors and it is the responsibility of the parties to the contract to comply...not mine.

If you go into a property and hear the smoke alarms "chirping" do you condition the appraisal on replacement of the 9 volt battery? Do you require a final inspection for the installation of a $2.00 battery?

Do you light a fire in the property to test the smoke alarms? Would you park your car in the garage and leave the engine running, prop the door into the house open so the CO can come in so that you can see if the monitor is working? I don't think so.

I guess it is ok and maybe necessary for some clients for the appraiser to add a comment to the report such as:

"during my appraisal inspection I observed smoke and CO detectors". If I were to do that I think I would also include as disclaimer as to whether or not those things were in working condition.

 

[Mr Rex]

How many smoke detectors have you seen that have been in the house since the 70's? Most of the time they will still alarm if they don't have a dead battery. Would they work in case of a fire? Debatable, since most manufacturers and fire safety experts recommend replacement after 10 years. FWIW, I recommend replacement with new on every Home Inspection unless the house is under 5 years old.

 

[chad hampton]

Not an appraisal issue, IMO. Even if you see them hanging off a ceiling, so what? We surely aren't going to be testing them. Even if you do push the button and hear a beep, it doesn't mean the element inside is working properly. That's a home inspection issue, not a value issue.

Are any of you going to say a smoke detector is present and in working condition? I surely won't. A fire in the house next month, the detectors don't function properly and you might have a problem on your hands.

What's the difference in value between a home that had smoke detectors missing and one that had 15-20 yr old smoke detectors hanging from the ceiling? Not much IMO, both are probably worthless.

So many appraisers should remember this saying - "I am not a home inspector, so I won't pretend to be one".