Are smoke detectors mandatory in your home, rented home or social housing? We'll explain whether smoke detectors are required in your home or not. The legislation varies per region where the property is located.
1. Flemish Region
Houses (properties)
As of 1 January 2013, in the following 2 cases, smoke detectors must be installed that meet the requirements of the Flemish Government.
- Houses still to be built
- Houses that are being renovated and for which an urban development permit is required.
Rental homes
All rental homes for which a lease is concluded after 1 January 2013 are also subject to the new legislation and must be have smoke detectors, in accordance with the requirements of the Flemish Government. The receipt must be attached to the rental agreement and can be shown if demanded.
All other accommodations that are leased as primary residences need to have smoke detectors if they are
- built before 1945: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within three years after 1st January 2013;
- built after 1945: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within six years after 1st January 2013. The landlord is responsible for the purchase and installation costs; the maintenance and replacement of the batteries is the tenant's responability.
Social housing
For social housing, the year of construction plays a major role.
Social housing must be have a smoke detector if the house is
- built before 1950: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within one year after 1 January 2013;
- built after 1950 and before 1970: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within two years after 1 January 2013;
- built after 1970 and before 1980: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within three years from 1 January 2013;
- built after 1980: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within four years after 1 January 2013.
All houses for which a special social loan is granted and for which the deed is drawn up after 1 January 2013 must also be equipped with smoke detectors.
How many smoke detectors should I install?
Legislation only requires the installation of "sufficient" smoke detectors. This means that at least 1 smoke detector should be installed per floor, preferably in the stairwell or hallway or on the escape route. This is only a basic security measure; check our article "Which and how many detectors do I need?" for more recommendations.
2. Brussels-Capital Region
In the Brussels-Capital Region, every rental property must be equipped with smoke detectors. You must install at least 1 smoke alarm per room on the escape route. This detector should have a lithium battery of at least 5 years.
3. Walloon Region
In the Walloon Region, too, every residence, whether rented or owned, must be equipped with smoke detectors. You must provide at least 1 smoke detector per floor, and several ones if one story is larger than 150m². The smoke alarms should all have a lithium battery of at least 5 years.