Denver Real Estate Specifics: Carbon Monoxide Detectors Could Become Required By Law

State Senate Bill 187 would require Carbon Monoxide Detectors in all homes sold after July 1st!  Not just new homes, but any home sold.  Apartently from the 9news article I read, the bill has just been brought out of committee, which means it has several steps before becoming state law. As far as I can tell, the biggest impact of the bill is found in this clause (skip ahead if you want my “transalation”):

 NOT WITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, EVERY EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING OFFERED FOR SALE OR TRANSFER ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2008, THAT HAS A FUEL-BURNING HEATER OR APPLIANCE, A FIREPLACE, OR AN ATTACHED GARAGE SHALL HAVE AN OPERATIONAL CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM INSTALLED WITHIN TEN FEET OFTHE ENTRANCE TO EACH ROOM LAWFULLY USED FOR SLEEPING PURPOSES.

My translation (remember, I’m not a lawyer or legislator): Assuming there is not a more stingent law, this law would require all future homes sold in Denver (since all homes in Denver have some method for heating), to include Carbon Monoxide Alarms to be installed properly (within 10 feet) of all bedrooms.

While there are implications for multiunit complexes that investors will want to know about, the above clause will affect the most people and in dramatic ways. Carbon Monoxide detectors are not terribly expensive, but I’ll be interested to see how the installation requirements finally get coded into the final law.  Also, there are two other portions of the bill that make me wonder how they will be coded into law and enforced.  First the section on the the building permits would require everyone doing any renovation that would require building permits to also put these detectors in.  How would that impact the enforcemnet of renovations done without proper permiting?  Would homeowners be in substantually more trouble for renovations they unknowingly violate permitting requirements while doing?  Second involves the restriction on electrically disabling the detectors.  Would this mean that the homeowner could face criminal charges for removing the battery from a CO detector in her home (without replacing it immediately)?  

Too many questions?  Probably.  But I know it makes a difference for my clients and it’s a part of the job I love.  It will be fascinating to see what our legislators come up with.