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.
Great that you have this information for us. We are able to use this to let our sellers and buyers know of this new law. I think it is a good new law as it gets buyers and sellers thinking about this important saftey issue. So easy to prevent a problem with little cost!
Thanks, Holly
Comment by Holly L. Breton — September 14, 2010 @ 2:13 pm
This is most helpful!!
Thanks once again for being there for Us.
Comment by Lisa Macbride — September 15, 2010 @ 9:04 am
This is a strange law – who will oversee it? Are there consequences if it is not followed? Detectors are very useful, but can you legislate their use?
Comment by Marilyn — September 17, 2010 @ 7:29 am