Effective March 25, 2010.
As you may recall, last fall a new law, Chapter 162 – An Act to Protect Maine Residents from Home Fires and Carbon Monoxide, created new requirements relating to the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all single-family and multifamily dwellings, multiapartment buildings and rental units. It also created a new buyer certification form to be signed at real estate closings.
The Maine Legislature recently amended this law by enacting Chapter 551 -Act to Amend the Law Pertaining to Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. This amendment revises the requirements for installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and will, therefore, result in a new buyer certification form. Changes to the new law of particular interest to closing agents include the following:
- Buyer must now certify that buyer will properly install operational smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, if they are not already present, within 30 days of acquisition or occupancy of the building, whichever comes later.
- A person has no claim for relief against a closing agent or lender for any damages resulting from the operation, maintenance or effectiveness of a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector.
