Who counts as the landlord under the Fire Code?
The Code names the person who owns the rental unit, and it names an agent too. For smoke alarms it says "landlord" means the person, firm or corporation that owns the rental unit, including an agent acting on their behalf for purposes of carrying out duties under this Subsection
. (Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.3.2) The carbon monoxide section uses the same words. (Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.4.2) So a property manager can carry out the duties for an owner. The tenant is not the landlord.
What are the landlord's duties, section by section?
The table lists each duty and where to find it in Division B of the Code. Smoke alarms are in Subsection 6.3.3 and carbon monoxide alarms are in Subsection 6.3.4. Installation is in Section 2.13 for smoke alarms and Section 2.16 for carbon monoxide alarms.
| Duty | Smoke alarms | Carbon monoxide alarms |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord installs alarms where the Code requires them | 2.13.2.1 | 2.16.2.1 |
| Landlord keeps the alarms in operating condition | 6.3.3.3 | 6.3.4.3 |
| Landlord gives the tenant the maker's maintenance instructions | 6.3.3.4 | 6.3.4.4 |
| Landlord tests every year and after every change in tenancy | 6.3.3.8 (2) | 6.3.4.8 (2)(a) |
| Landlord tests a battery alarm after the battery is replaced | 6.3.3.8 (3) | 6.3.4.8 (2)(b) |
| Landlord tests an alarm on an electrical circuit after any change to the circuit | 6.3.3.8 (4) | 6.3.4.8 (2)(c) |
| Test is done with the alarm's test feature | 6.3.3.8 (5) | 6.3.4.8 (3) |
| Alarm is replaced within the time frame in the maker's instructions | 6.3.3.7 (1) | 6.3.4.7 (3), in the buildings that article names |
| Tenant tells the landlord when an alarm is disconnected, not working or impaired | 6.3.3.5 | 6.3.4.5 |
| Nobody disables an alarm | 6.3.3.6 | 6.3.4.6 |
When must the landlord test the alarms?
Every year, and again after each change in tenancy. For smoke alarms the Code says: The landlord shall test smoke alarms annually and after every change in tenancy.
(Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.3.8) For carbon monoxide alarms the landlord shall test carbon monoxide alarms annually and after every change in tenancy or after every change of residents
. (Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.4.8) The Code also says how: smoke alarms shall be tested by activating the smoke alarm test feature
. (Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.3.8)
What does the tenant have to do?
Tell the landlord, and leave the alarm alone. The Code says: A tenant of a rental suite shall notify the landlord as soon as the tenant becomes aware that
an alarm is disconnected, not operating, or impaired. (Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.3.5) It also says: No person shall disable a smoke alarm.
(Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.3.6) The landlord's part is to hand the tenant the instructions: The landlord of each rental suite shall give the tenant a copy of the smoke alarm manufacturer's maintenance instructions or approved alternative maintenance instructions.
(Ontario Fire Code, 6.3.3.4)
Where does the Code say alarms must be installed?
For smoke alarms, Section 2.13 starts with this: A smoke alarm shall be installed
in the hallway that serves a sleeping area, or between the sleeping area and the rest of the unit when there is no hallway, or in a sleeping room that is not within a dwelling unit, and on each storey without a sleeping area. (Ontario Fire Code, 2.13.2.1) That section has limits. It says: This Section does not apply to buildings that are subject to Part 9.
(Ontario Fire Code, 2.13.1.1) The Building Code sets the rules for those.
For carbon monoxide alarms, Section 2.16 says: Where a fuel-burning appliance, flue or a fireplace is installed in a suite of residential occupancy or care occupancy, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed
next to each sleeping area in the suite and on each storey without a sleeping area. (Ontario Fire Code, 2.16.2.1) It has more cases for a building with a service room, a storage garage or a forced-air appliance outside the suite, so read the section for your building.
What does this mean at turnover time?
A turnover is a change in tenancy, so it is when both tests are due. Use the turnover as the day you do the whole alarm job:
- Press the test button on every smoke alarm and every carbon monoxide alarm in the unit, and confirm each sounds.
- Replace any alarm that fails, or that is past the replacement time in its maker's instructions.
- Keep the maker's maintenance instructions ready to hand to the incoming tenant.
- As good practice, write down the date of the test and the unit, so you can show when it was done.
Reborn Renos includes smoke alarm inspection, testing and replacement where required in a standard turnover: see property turnovers and the rental turnover checklist. A failed alarm between tenants, or a call in an occupied unit, is an on-call job: see income property maintenance. If you need to go into an occupied unit, read how much notice a landlord needs first. For a building with many units, service agreements set the scope for each turnover.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is a plain summary, not legal advice. The linked law is what counts. The Fire Code was read on ontario.ca on 1 November 2026.
How do I book alarm testing or replacement?
Reborn Renos is insured and covered by WSIB. We work in Beamsville, Lincoln, Grimsby, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Thorold and Niagara Falls. Call (905) 920-1418, Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm, or send the units and the dates on the request page.