Who this is for: Maine landlords, property managers, and short-term rental hosts who want a clear, practical checklist for smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. This guide summarizes what Maine law requires in rentals, where devices must go, power types that are allowed, documentation to keep, and the most common gotchas we see during inspections.

Downloads:

Maine landlord-smoke-co-cheat-sheet
maine-fire-alarm-inspection-checklist
fire-alarm-device-log-template

1) What Maine Law Requires (Landlords & Tenants)

  • At each new occupancy, the landlord must provide working smoke alarms in required locations and repair/replace them after written notice of a defect from the tenant. Tenants must test, keep batteries charged, and must not disable alarms.
  • Landlords must also provide working CO alarms (where required) at each new occupancy and repair/replace after written notice; tenants must keep alarms powered/tested and must not disable them.
  • Penalties: Violations of smoke or CO requirements can carry fines. Many jurisdictions allow a short correction window; check with your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).

Tip: Maine adopts NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) through the State Fire Marshal; always confirm the currently adopted edition with your AHJ.

2) Where Alarms Must Be Installed (Placement & Interconnection)

  • Smoke alarms: Required in each dwelling unit. If a smoke alarm is within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom with a tub/shower, it should be a photoelectric-type. Ionization alarms are permitted inside bedrooms.
  • CO alarms: At least one CO alarm is typically required in each area within, or giving access to, bedrooms in covered occupancies (multifamily, lodging, certain institutional occupancies, and certain single-family cases as defined by statute).
  • New work vs. existing: New construction and specific additions/conversions can trigger stricter power/interconnection rules. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the adopted NFPA 72 edition, and confirm with your AHJ.

3) Power Types for CO Alarms (What’s Allowed)

It depends on the situation. In many multifamily and other covered occupancies, CO alarms may be powered by AC with battery backup, a sealed 10-year battery, or certain listed battery devices (for example, low-power RF devices or units connected to a control panel). For single-family additions/conversions and some new-build scenarios, CO alarms are typically required to be AC plus battery. Always verify with your AHJ and the applicable statute.

4) Extra Rules for Multifamily & Common Areas

  • In multi-apartment buildings over three stories, additional smoke alarms are often required in corridors and hallways on each floor.
  • Many local rental programs expect alarms on each level of the dwelling unit (including basements) and in/near bedrooms; verify current local checklists before inspection.

5) Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Accessibility

Upon request, an owner must provide an approved smoke alarm and an approved CO alarm suitable to warn a deaf or hard-of-hearing occupant. If not provided, tenants may procure and deduct the actual cost from rent in some cases. Check statutory details.

6) Documentation, Tags & Recordkeeping

  • Keep a life-safety binder for each property: device inventory, plans/as-builts, dates/receipts for alarm installation and battery replacement, inspection tags/stickers, and central-station signal logs (if monitored).
  • Maintain move-in/move-out checklists showing alarms tested and working at each occupancy—this supports the “new occupancy” requirement.
  • For remodels/additions/acceptance tests, retain the NFPA 72 Record of Completion (acceptance) and the System Record of Inspection & Testing (periodic). Confirm any local permit documents required by your AHJ.

7) Portland, ME Notes (Local Rental Safety)

  • Portland’s rental safety materials emphasize using UL/FM-listed alarms; combination smoke/CO devices are acceptable when listed.
  • City checklists generally call for working smoke alarms on each level and in/near bedrooms, and CO alarms on each level; verify the latest forms with the City.

8) Common Deficiencies (and How to Avoid Them)

  • Wrong detector type near kitchens/baths: Within 20 feet, use photoelectric smoke alarms; ionization is okay inside bedrooms.
  • Dead/expired batteries or end-of-life devices: Most smoke alarms are 7–10 years; many CO sensors are 5–7. Replace proactively and document the date.
  • Missing alarms on certain levels/bedroom areas: Add devices on each level, in each bedroom, and outside bedrooms as required—don’t forget basements/common halls in taller buildings.
  • Disabled devices: Don’t allow users to remove or defeat alarms. Post reminders and educate tenants.
  • Non-compliant CO power type: For additions/conversions and new work, ensure AC+backup if required.

9) FAQs

Do I need photoelectric smoke alarms everywhere in Maine?

Not everywhere—but if a smoke alarm is within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom with a tub/shower, it should be photoelectric. Ionization smoke alarms are permitted inside bedrooms.

What power type is required for CO alarms?

In many multifamily/covered occupancies, AC+backup, sealed 10-year battery, or certain listed battery devices are allowed. For single-family additions/conversions and some new construction, AC plus battery is typically required. Confirm with your AHJ.

Who maintains the alarms?

Landlords provide working alarms at each new occupancy and repair/replace after written notice of defects. Tenants should test, keep batteries charged, and must not disable alarms.

What about short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO)?

Short-term rentals must meet state smoke/CO requirements and any local licensing/inspection rules. In Portland, review the current Housing Safety guidance before listing.

Disclaimer: This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always verify current code and local ordinances with your AHJ.

10) Need Help? We Can Install, Inspect & Document

We can walk through your buildings, add or replace the right detectors, label locations, and prepare your life-safety binder for inspections. Contact Cunningham Security for service across Portland, Southern Maine, Midcoast, and Central Maine.

Downloads:

maine-landlord-smoke-co-cheat-sheet
maine-fire-alarm-inspection-checklist
fire-alarm-device-log-template