Can I rent the house without getting a fire sprinkler system fixed?

Full question:

I have a house in Connecticut. I thought of renting it out, but my friend told me that I need to have a fire sprinkler system fixed in there. Can I just rent the house without getting it fixed for the time being? I live in Connecticut.

Answer:

Under Connecticut law, you may rent your house even if you don’t have a "fire sprinkler system" in your house. However, you may be required to notify your tenant about the same. You may do so by including a notice in the lease agreement that you don’t have a "fire sprinkler system” in the rental unit. Here's the law:

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-3f reads:
“(a) As used in this section, "fire sprinkler system" means a system of piping and appurtenances designed and installed in accordance with generally accepted standards so that heat from a fire will automatically cause water to be discharged over the fire area to extinguish or prevent its further spread.
(b) When renting any dwelling unit, the landlord of such dwelling unit shall include notice in the rental agreement as to the existence or nonexistence of an operative fire sprinkler system in such dwelling unit and shall be printed in not less than twelve-point boldface type of uniform font.
(c) If there is an operative fire sprinkler system in the dwelling unit, the rental agreement shall provide further notice as to the last date of maintenance and inspection and shall be printed in not less than twelve-point boldface type of uniform font.”

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

In Connecticut, landlords are generally responsible for ensuring that their rental properties meet safety standards, which may include having a fire sprinkler system. However, if the property does not have one, the landlord must inform tenants about its absence. It's essential to include this information in the lease agreement to comply with state laws.