A recent change in Massachusetts law now requires homes built before 1975 to have smoke detectors with 10-year life spans when sold.The State Fire Marshal's public education page states that some new smoke alarms come with a 10-year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery. The entire alarm needs to be replaced after ten years, but thebatteries themselves never need changing during that time.In hisexcellent Massachusetts Real Estate Law Blog, real estate attorney Richard Vetstein explains changes as well as current rules in Massachusetts smoke detector regulations:
"The new rules provide thatwhen homes built before 1975 are sold, the house must be equipped with smoke detectors with a 10-year life span. These detectors are sold as 10 year sealed lithium battery power smoke alarms. They can be found at your local Home Depot or hardware store.Also remember thatcurrent rulesrequire photoelectric detectors covering the area within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom containing a bathtub or shower. The 10 year sealed detectors are sold with both photoelectric and the older ionization technologies..."
Read the Massachusetts Real Estate Law Blog's 10 Year Battery Life Smoke Detectors Now Required for Older Homes.Are you thinking about where to livein Boston?If you have questions about buying or selling homes in the Boston real estate market, please call me at
617-584-9790, orsend me an email via the linkbelow. 
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