Pair face $7,000 in fines
A St. Catharines property owner and a tenant have pleaded guilty to violating the Ontario Fire Code.
On January 26th, the pair appeared in court to respond to charges of not having properly installed smoke alarms.
The owner is facing a $3000 fine plus court costs, and the tenant is facing $4,000 in fines and court costs.
Working smoke alarms are required on every storey of a home and outside all sleeping areas.
The law also requires working carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas in units where a fuel-burning appliance is installed or shares a common wall or floor with a service room containing such an appliance or an attached garage.
"Regardless if you live in your own home or live in a rental unit you must have a working smoke alarm on every storey of your home or rental unit," said Fire Chief Dave Upper. "Tenants also have an important responsibility, and must contact their landlord immediately if their smoke or carbon monoxide alarms are not working properly. Tampering with, failing to maintain, or not having a working smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is against the law."