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california carbon monoxide poisoning prevention act sb-183
As of July 1, 2011, the state of California enacted the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act SB 183. 

This act requires all single family homes with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source to install working carbon monoxide alarms.  If you are a landlord and own income property or rental dwellings, you’ll have until January 1, 2013 to comply with this law.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and many types of appliances and cooking devices.  It can also come from vehicles that are idling. 

According to the California Air Resources Board, 30 to 40 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.  With Carbon Monoxide devices, these deaths can be prevented.   Therefore, CO devices are required by the California Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act SB-183 to be installed outside of each sleeping area, but recommended to be in each sleeping room for maximum protection.   Also, don’t forget about basements and garages.  If you have a multi-level home, carbon monoxide detectors are required on each level.

By law, you can’t replace your existing smoke detector with a carbon monoxide device.  We recently closed escrow and because the home had existing smoke detectors, we just bought separate carbon monoxide detectors (about $20 each).   There are devices that are a combination of smoke and carbon monoxide alarm/detectors and these will satisfy both requirements.

If you are buying a home, or refinancing your home loan, your lender will require you to get an appraisal.  To comply with California Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act SB-183, all appraisals will need to reference that there is a working carbon monoxide detector in the home. If one is not present at the time of the appraisal, a re-inspection will be required once the unit is installed.   You want to avoid a re-inspection as this my delay your escrow closing and/or you may lose the great interest rate your lender got you!

Einhorn Insurance specializes in home, condo and landlord insurance for escrow closings or if you are refinancing (refis).  On average, we provide insurance for 25-30 escrow closings a month and work directly with your realtor, lender and escrow officer.  Our company has access to the MLS and can view all your home’s details (even if your property was on the market 10 years ago).

The owner of Einhorn Insurance sold real estate for 6 years; selling 80+ properties.  It is very likely that we’ve worked with your lender or escrow officer already.  We are very comfortable with the escrow process and will handle everything insurance related for you.  Our goal is to make the home buying or refi process as easy as possible.

For more information, contact Einhorn Insurance at 858-336-4644 or visit https://einhorninsurance.com/california-home-insurance/.