Smoke and CO certificates when you sell in Massachusetts
How to book the fire department inspection, what the alarms need to be, and how to pass on the first visit.
Before closing, your local fire department inspects the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and issues a certificate of compliance. Book it as soon as you have a closing date. The fee is set locally but capped by state law at $50 for a single-family. The alarms you need depend on when the home was built or last renovated.
Step by step
- Find the build date and last permit date. The rules for your home depend on when it was built and when the last building permit for major work was issued. The building department can tell you.
- Check every alarm. Note the location and the manufacture date stamped on each one. No date means it is expired.
- Replace what is needed. Battery-only smoke alarms over 10 years old must be replaced with photoelectric alarms with a 10-year sealed battery and a hush feature. Hard-wired systems may need an electrician.
- Add CO alarms on each level where required.
- Make the house number visible from the street. Inspectors check.
- Book the inspection with the fire department once you have a closing date, and get the certificate to your attorney.
What it costs
| Property | Maximum fee (smoke and CO together) |
|---|---|
| Single-family or single unit | $50 |
| Two-family | $100 |
| Building with 6 or fewer units | $150 |
| More than 6 units | $500 |
These are the state caps. Your town may charge less. Reinspection fees vary.
Timing
The certificate is only valid for a limited time before closing, often 60 days in the towns we have checked, so do not book it the week you list. Do book it soon after the Purchase and Sale Agreement is signed. If the closing date moves, check whether you need a new one.
Condos and multi-families
For a condo, the inspection usually covers your unit. For two- and three-families, every unit is inspected, and common areas may be checked too. Plan access to tenant-occupied units in advance.
Sources
Questions this page answers
Do I need a smoke detector certificate to sell my house in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts requires a certificate of compliance from the local fire department showing the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms meet the rules for the home before it is sold or transferred. Your closing attorney will ask for it.
How much does the smoke and CO inspection cost?
Each city or town sets its own fee, but state law caps it at $50 for a single-family home or single unit and $100 for a two-family when both inspections are done together.
When should I schedule the inspection?
As soon as you have a closing date. Some fire departments book two weeks or more out, and the certificate is only good for a limited time, often 60 days in the towns we have checked.
What kind of smoke alarms do I need?
It depends on when the home was built or last substantially renovated. Battery-only smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old or have no date must be replaced with photoelectric alarms that have a 10-year sealed battery and a hush button. Older hard-wired systems may need to stay hard-wired.
Where do carbon monoxide alarms go?
Generally on every level of the home, including habitable basements and attics, if the home has fossil-fuel heat or appliances, a fireplace, or an attached garage. Your fire department can confirm the placement for your home.
What happens if I fail?
The inspector tells you what to fix, and you book a reinspection. Many towns charge a reinspection fee. Fixing alarms before the first visit avoids the delay.