Frequently Asked Questions
for Landlords
Have questions about your legal responsibilities, installation process, or smoke alarm pricing as a landlord in New Zealand? You’re not alone. Below are the most common questions we receive from investment property owners and property managers across Aotearoa.
FAQ’s
We want to help you by giving frequently asked questions
Under the Residential Tenancies (Smoke Alarms and Insulation) Regulations 2016, landlords in NZ are legally required to ensure:
- Photoelectric smoke alarms are installed
- Alarms are positioned within 3 metres of every bedroom
- Alarms are installed on every storey of the dwelling
- Devices must have a minimum 8-year battery life, or be hardwired to the mains
- Alarms must be replaced by their expiry date
These requirements apply to all rental properties, including standalone homes, townhouses, and apartments.
Yes. Every rental property in New Zealand — including flats, townhouses, units, and apartments — must comply with the same smoke alarm placement and device standards.
Yes. Photoelectric smoke alarms are the only type recommended by Fire and Emergency NZ and are required under current regulations. Ionisation alarms are outdated and should be replaced.
No. If the property is tenanted, we’ll liaise directly with the tenant to arrange access and complete the service. If you’re a self-managing landlord and prefer to be present, we’ll arrange a suitable time with you.
Most properties are completed in under 2 hours, depending on the number of smoke alarms required and the property layout.
Yes. Every installation or inspection comes with a Certificate of Compliance, sent digitally for your records. You can also request a Photographic Compliance Certificate ($139 NZD), which includes expiry dates and location documentation — ideal for tenancy records or pre-sale verification
All smoke alarms installed by PCNZ come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty and are installed by trained, qualified professionals. If issues arise within the warranty period, we’ll take care of it.
Yes — we provide portfolio pricing for landlords managing 3 or more properties.
This includes:
- Bulk compliance rates
- A dedicated account manager
- Consolidated invoicing
- Ongoing compliance tracking
Absolutely. If your property manager engages PCNZ, we’ll coordinate directly with them for:
- Access and tenant communication
- Smoke alarm installation or inspection
- Invoicing and record keeping
You won’t need to lift a finger.
You can engage our services in three simple ways:
- Ask your property manager to assign PCNZ as your smoke alarm compliance provider
- Book directly with us if you self-manage
- Submit a list of your investment properties and we’ll handle it all
We offer on-site inspections, system upgrades, and full certification. If you’re unsure, we recommend starting with a quick quote or a compliance check.
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We offer on-site inspections, system upgrades, and full certification. If you’re unsure, we recommend starting with a quick quote or a compliance check.