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Monday, November 1st, a new law regarding carbon monoxide (CO) detectors takes effect. The law, passed in May, required all apartments in New York City to have carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is odorless, colorless, tasteless and non-irritating and can come from several sources including heating and cooking equipment.
The law requires all building owners to provide and install one detector within each unit of the building. The detectors should be installed within 15 feet of an entrance to the sleeping room. Gothamist got our combination fire/CO detector last night and it even talks, saying "Fire! Fire!" and "Warning! Carbon Monoxide!"
Be sure not to let the building owner rip you off though, they can only charge you $25 for a carbon monoxide detector and $35 for a dual detector, but only if your smoke detector needs replacing. For condos and co-ops, check with your board to see how the costs are being handled.
About.com's information on CO and Underwriters Laboratory with info on the "silent killer".
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Why do current tenants have to pay for this? Why is the building owner not responsible? If I have to pay for mine, how is it fair that the person who moves in after me doesn't have to pay. Another crappy NYC housing law.
take it with you--get a receipt for the 25 or 35$ and when you leave, take the detector with you.
I know that this is a good safety precaution... but I am also confused. How are they requiring building owners to provide the detectors, yet making the tenants pay for them? Am I reading this wrong? Shouldnt it be the same as a smoke detector, which is provided in the unit?
Smoke detectors are not provided for free, either. Owners are legally allowed to charge $10 per year for the required smoke detector.
Just because they are legally allowed doesn't mean that it is right. What a load of doody.
I was just wondering when I will have to pay this 25$. I read somewhere that I have one year to pay, but I can't find this out anywhere for a fact--anyone out there know for sure.
Just so you know, prices range on these to upwards of $50.... they're not the cheapest. Most landlords aren't making $$ on this...
CO does not rise like smoke. It's denser than air, so it sits on the floor. Your CO detector should be plugged into the wall near the floor as opposed to on the ceiling like a smoke detector. For this reason, the combo smoke/CO detectors are not hugely reliable.
If you have the kind that is battery operated, change the battery for your CO detector and your smoke detector when you change your clocks.
This concluded this PSA.
thanks for all the comments - i have been noticing a $25 charge on my rent bill for the last few months and just ignored (cause clearly, THEY are losing their minds and forgot the amount of my monthly rent) - so, April rent invoice arrives and it clarifies - for CO detector. I flipped out, wanted to call the business office to protest/complain/stir-it-up ... and then I Google and find the tales from my fellow Gothamist renters. We have to pay it, it IS fair, it is the law/rule... so I can slow down my muster. Thanks trusty Internet!