Smoke/co Detectors

[NJ Valuator]

FHA has no such requirement, correct?

 

[glenn walker]

Not in handbook but if the lender requires it then your HOC will tell you to comply because FHA is the minimum property requirement and the lender-client does have the right to have additional items in their scope of work . FHA told me Health & Safety issues are never grandfathered and In States like California Smoke Detectors & Carbon Monoxide Detectors are also State Law.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

1. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Codes
   
   
   www.ncsl.org/.../smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-...
   As of January 2010 24 states have enacted laws regarding carbon monoxide detectors or smoke ... New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York ... requirements, obligations and ...
   
   
2. Smoke and CO Detector Requirements - Jo Ann and Bob
   
   
   www.joannandbob.com/.../smoke-and-co-detector-...
   New Jersey requires municipalities to inspect homes for smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors ... Smoke and CO Detector Requirements. New Jersey requires ...
   
   
3. STATE OF NEW JERSEY
   
   
   www.njleg.state.nj.us/9899/Bills/a1500/1175_i1.pdf
   STATE OF NEW JERSEY ... SYNOPSIS Requires carbon monoxide detectors be installed in all residential properties. ... 30 by most smoke alarms, ...
   

 

[Mike Kennedy]

• 26 states require carbon monoxide detectors in private dwellings via state statute: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia (via adoption of the International Residential Code), Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Certain states limit the installation to buildings with fossil-fuel burning devises, others only require the devise be installed upon sale of the property or unit.
• Another 11 states require carbon monoxide detectors in private dwellings regulatorily through the adoption of the International Residential Code or via an amendment to their state’s building code: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wyoming.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/enviro...carbon-monoxide-detectors-state-statutes.aspx

 

[Mike Kennedy]

New Jersey

1. Bulletin No. 08-1 - State of New Jersey
   
   
   www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_bulleti...
   State of New Jersey ... code required hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms. ... Section R313.1 of the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) states, ... Completely wireless battery-powered alarms do not meet the power source.
   

 

[andrew81]

one of the cities i work the code of ordinance states:

Floors—Kitchen and Bathroom. Every kitchen floor surface, bathroom floor surface, and toilet room floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean, dry and sanitary condition. Carpeting is prohibited.

in this particular market FHA appraisals should be conditioned on the replacement of carpeting in the kitchen or bathroom with other such floor covering that is complementary to the grade and decor of other finishes through the home. yeah, not gonna happen.

I agree that if it's in the handbook or part of the agreed scope of work, then yes report as needed, otherwise we are not code enforcement.

also page 5 of the Illinois Appraiser Newsletter http://www.idfpr.com/Forms/DRE/ApprNews/IllinoisAppraiserJune2015.pdf

 

[CANative]

These types of questions are always about conditioning your appraisal on repair (or changing something.) Smoke and CO alarms reflect a statistical hazard issue but not individually. Not a "health and safety" issue so it's not an MPR. The property can meet MPR without alarms even in areas where building code or other ordinances or laws demand their installation.

If it's a client assignment condition then you do what you have to do. It's an appraisal issue that has a measurable impact on value and/or marketability.

 

[djd09]

What if it is a built in smoke detector?

 

[gregb]

State of California does not specifically require the appraiser to inspect, test or note if a smoke and c/o alarm are in a property. Neither does VA. A lender assignment condition is another matter, where I will take a photo to include in the report, but not test the device or offer an opinion as to its adequacy or functionality. A licensed home inspector is better qualified to cover these devices.

 

[chad hampton]

Do these clients feel that the presence of a smoke detector or CO2 detector contributes to value in some way?

Broken windows, rotted out floors, missing railings, etc might be safety issues. A photo of a CO2 detector with a 10 yr old battery in it is worthless. These lenders should order a home inspection.