Who is ultimately responsible for ensuring smoke and heat vents are maintained?

The property owner holds the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that smoke and heat vents are properly maintained. This obligation stems from the owner's duty to provide a safe living environment for tenants and to comply with building codes and safety regulations. Smoke and heat vents are critical components of fire safety systems, designed to prevent smoke and excessive heat from accumulating during a fire, thus safeguarding both property and lives.

Maintaining these systems falls under the property owner’s responsibility, as they are accountable for the overall upkeep and safety of the property. Although tenants may have some responsibility for the general cleanliness and upkeep of their living spaces, major safety features like smoke and heat vents require professional maintenance and should be regularly inspected by the owner or a designated maintenance service.

Local governments may set regulations and codes that property owners need to follow, but they do not take direct responsibility for the maintenance of individual properties. Similarly, while insurance companies may have policies that relate to fire safety, their role is primarily to provide coverage and assess risk rather than to maintain safety equipment.