CO Alarms & the Legal Responsibilities of Texas Landlords | San Antonio Injury

Carbon monoxide is one of the most subtle and dangerous substances in the world. Since it has no odor, no flavor, and no color, it can’t be detected by our five senses and needs a CO alarm to be working at all times. If you’ve recently been injured by CO poisoning in a rented Central Texas apartment or home due to the negligence of a landlord, you are likely eligible for compensation. An experienced local attorney, like those at Carabin Shaw, can help victims and their families get the justice they deserve.

Failing to install and maintain modern, functioning CO alarms is a clear violation of the Lone Star State’s carbon monoxide detector rules. There are also other actions that may be considered negligence, though. If you need to understand your legal protections as a tenant regarding Texas landlord carbon monoxide laws, our law firm can explain the basics and guide you on the next steps. Contact Carabin Shaw as soon as possible to schedule your FREE CASE REVIEW.

Texas operates under the 2021 International Residential Code, which requires all single-family and two-family homes to have carbon monoxide alarms installed if there are garage and/or fuel-fired appliances.

These CO alarms must also follow strict guidelines on installation, placement, and supplemental tools, such as requiring:

• A minimum of one CO alarm outside a sleeping area
• Permanent installation of any and all CO alarms on the wall
• Placements away from garages or away from areas of high humidity
• Operational functioning at the time of building code inspections
• Adherence to the original CO alarm’s manufacturing instructions

Simply installing a CO alarm is not enough to remain in compliance. Texas landlords are responsible for clearly communicating general maintenance to all tenants through the lease, such as:

• Not removing CO alarms unless inserting a new battery
• Testing the CO alarm once per month using its built-in test feature
• Immediately reporting any malfunctions or damage to the property manager or landlord

Landlords are legally required to oversee and maintain CO alarms on their properties to keep tenants safe. They must:

• Remain in strict compliance with state safety regulations at all times.
• Immediately inspect any CO alarms reported by tenants as malfunctioning or damaged.
• Provide clear maintenance instructions in the lease for review.

A code violation is a serious issue that can potentially put you and other tenants at risk. If you reach out to an attorney in San Antonio, Texas, you may receive compensation for violations such as:

• A detector that isn’t in the same room as a gas or fuel-burning appliance (such as a water heater, stove, or oven).
• Missing CO alarms on the property.
• A very old CO alarm that’s over seven years old.
• A damaged or malfunctioning CO alarm that hasn’t been replaced, despite requests made by the tenant to the landlord.

If you suspect you’re living on a property that has violated CO alarms in the state of Texas, you need an experienced legal professional to review your case. Carabin Shaw is a Texas-based law firm that represents tenants for carbon monoxide-based cases, such as CO alarm violations or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Depending on your needs, you may meet with a Texas CO poisoning lawyer or a housing safety lawyer. Carabin Shaw provides English- and Spanish-speaking staff to help you put together a case. Read our reviews to see how we’ve helped people in similar situations to yours.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Get your free consultation today with our personal injury attorneys in San Antonio TX, so you can receive the compensation you deserve.

For More Information:

• Universal City Texas
• Austin - Carbon Monoxide Alarms