> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.immodio.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.immodio.app/en/anleitung/einnahmen-und-ausgaben/buchhaltung-erweiterung/10147600-wartung-von-rauchwarnmeldern-rauchmelder-keine-reparatur-oder-kauf-umgelegt-au.md). # Maintenance of smoke detectors, excluding repair or purchase (recoverable from tenant) Help on the Immodio entry item Maintenance of smoke alarms - no repair or purchase (recoverable from tenant).
Use this category exclusively for the **regularly arising costs of function testing and maintaining smoke alarms already installed**. These include services that check and ensure that the devices are properly fitted, undamaged and operational. The Federal Court of Justice classifies the regular testing and ensuring of the operational readiness of smoke alarms as **other operating costs under Section 2 no. 17 BetrKV**. Such maintenance costs can therefore in principle be recovered from residential tenants, unlike the costs of buying, renting or replacing the devices. {% hint style="warning" %} The Federal Court of Justice has expressly held that the **rental costs of smoke alarms are not recoverable operating costs**. Economically, renting the devices takes the place of the purchase, which is likewise not recoverable, and may **not** become an operating cost simply because the landlord rents the devices instead of buying them. For renting or buying smoke alarms you can use the category **"Rental for smoke alarms"** for your own bookkeeping. {% endhint %} #### What can be entered here? The costs of the following in particular can be entered: * the regular visual and function testing of the smoke alarms, * checking operational readiness and the alarm function, * checking the intended mounting position, * checking that the smoke inlet openings are clear and not painted over or covered, * checking for identifiable damage or soiling, * cleaning the alarm, as far as it is part of the regular maintenance, * documenting the inspection carried out, * the maintenance company's travel and labour costs, * the costs of a permissible technical or radio-based inspection, as far as it actually checks operational readiness, * running service costs, as far as they are clearly attributable to the maintenance and not to providing or renting the devices. {% hint style="info" %} The currently published **DIN 14676-1:2025-05** contains minimum requirements for the planning, installation, operation and upkeep of smoke alarms. The manufacturer's specifications and the applicable state law requirements should also be taken into account for the maintenance. {% endhint %} ### The condition for recovering the costs from tenants As maintaining smoke alarms is not expressly listed in numbers 1 to 16 of the Operating Costs Ordinance, these are **other operating costs**. The type of cost should therefore be agreed with sufficient specificity in the rental agreement, which is the case in the Immodio rental agreement. ### Who is responsible for the maintenance? Responsibility under public law for ensuring operational readiness is governed differently in the building regulations of the federal states. Depending on the state, it can be assigned to the owner or the direct possessor (generally the tenant). A state law provision under which the tenant is responsible for operational readiness does not, however, automatically prevent the landlord from organising uniform maintenance. This is often sensible for landlords, because it lets inspection intervals, the stock of devices and defects found be documented centrally. The specific responsibility should nevertheless be checked against the building regulations of the state concerned. ### Assignment For the assignment select **"Property"** and then the building in which the smoke alarms maintained are located. The costs are assigned to the property and allocated to the associated tenancies by living space as part of the operating cost statement. Alternatively, in the property's [**"Billing"**](/en/anleitung/immobilien/objekt/abrechnung-objekt.md#individual-allocation-keys) area you can create individual allocation keys, for the number of smoke alarms for example. ### Purchase and device rental are not recoverable The following do not belong in this category: * the initial purchase of the smoke alarms, * the costs of the initial equipment, * renting or leasing the smoke alarms, * provision charges for the devices, * the complete replacement of old or defective smoke alarms, * buying additional devices, * the installation costs of the initial fitting. {% hint style="warning" %} The Federal Court of Justice has expressly held that the **rental costs of smoke alarms are not recoverable operating costs**. Economically, renting the devices takes the place of the purchase, which is likewise not recoverable, and may **not** become an operating cost simply because the landlord rents the devices instead of buying them. For renting or buying smoke alarms, you can use the category **"Rental for smoke alarms"** for your own bookkeeping. {% endhint %} ### Distinguishing repairs and spare parts The following in particular likewise do not belong in this category: * repairs to damaged smoke alarms, * remedying technical defects, * replacing defective devices, * replacement because the service life has expired, * replacing or newly installing mounting plates, * costs resulting from damage or loss, * work on a central fire alarm system, unless these are ordinary smoke alarms for apartments. By law, maintenance and repair costs to remedy defects are **not** operating costs. {% hint style="info" %} A regular battery change can be part of a maintenance service, depending on the type of device, the contractual arrangement and the breakdown of the invoice. Where the complete device is replaced in the case of a smoke alarm with a permanently installed long-life battery, however, this is generally no longer mere maintenance. {% endhint %} ### Mixed maintenance and rental contracts Many service providers bill smoke alarms in an overall package, for example as: * "rental and maintenance", * "device service", * "full-service flat rate", * "provision, remote inspection and replacement". Such overall invoices may not be entered in this category in full without being checked. Have the following shown separately if possible: 1. pure maintenance and inspection costs, 2. device rental or leasing, 3. new purchases and device replacement, 4. repairs, 5. additional administrative or portal fees. Only the share comprehensibly attributable to the regular testing and ensuring of operational readiness should be recorded as recoverable maintenance. The separation is particularly important because maintenance costs can in principle be recoverable, whereas device rental costs are not under the case law of the Federal Court of Justice. ### Freehold apartments that are let With a freehold apartment that is let, the owners' association can resolve on uniform installation, checking and maintenance by a specialist company. Under the case law of the Federal Court of Justice, such a resolution can also include apartments in which smoke alarms of their own are already present. For the operating cost statement to the tenant it nevertheless has to be checked: * which amount is attributable to the unit according to the WEG statement, * whether maintenance and purchase were shown separately, * whether device rental is included, * whether the maintenance costs are agreed in the rental agreement, * which allocation key is to be applied in the tenancy. Allocation within the WEG does not automatically mean that every component charged there may also be recovered from the apartment's tenant. ### Documentation and receipts Keep in particular the following documents: * the maintenance contract, * the invoice with the services shown separately, * a list of the devices and apartments inspected, * the date and result of each inspection, * notes on defects found, * evidence of the maintenance cycle, * the allocation where there are several buildings, * the calculation of the individual tenants' shares, * the rental agreement with the type of operating cost agreed. Advance payments of operating costs have to be billed annually. The tenant can also ask to inspect the underlying receipts.