Discussions

I refer to replacing light bulbs (regular and bathroom ones). Plus batteries in fire alarms.  
 
A week or so ago. My fire alarm started beeping. (Of course in night). When phoned 24/7 customer service was told could be service call charge of $150. Need to do myself or ask a neighbour.  
 
Ridiculous as no way tall enough to reach without ladder (on chair risk of fall). Couldn’t risk that. Also no way I could stay with that noise loud and repeating.  
 
Ended up calling my son even though I thought he may be working (job doesn’t allow him to leave). He brought battery even for him major operation. Had to use knife as a screwdriver, ended up disconnecting wire then putting new battery in even though old battery was still good. But still beeping.  
 
Then maintenance showed up with ladder. Anyway he checked other two and switched their batteries. While waiting to see if that worked told us.  
 
All 3 are connected so if any have dead battery the noise could come from any of them. Usually replace all 3 at once.  
 
Advised normally there is charge for batteries and labour charge after hours.  
 
Same as with light bulbs changes. Tenants are expected to change them themselves. Though bathroom ones are done by maintenance. All Bulbs cost is sent to tenant.  
 
Already explained complicated process of fire alarms plus knowledge needed.  
 
Now lights. Ladder needed. Then steady hands to remove delicate glass covering without breaking. Etc.  
 
I don’t mind supplying light bulbs and batteries as way, way cheaper than paying their cost. And no emergency of. Burnt bulb would need changing other than day hours.  
 
Ridiculous policy. Read my lease and didn’t really see this specific.  
 
By the way this building is less than 5 years old and really nice apartments.  
 
Started 3rd year here. Haven’t lived in apartment for 4 decades or more. So.  
 
Question is this the norm? In a regular apartment?  
 
 
Note.  
 
Very upset on phone crying. Called a couple of times. Ended up with great customer service person who went out of way to get that maintenance to my apartment with no charge.  
 
Used the new widow, age, no ladder, breaking bones, no knowledge cards. All true but Which I avoid playing at all costs.

....it's up to the person living there to change batteries, unless its changed in the last few years

From what I can find out it is the landlords responsibility to provide working smoke alarms [and to repair or replace ones that aren't functioning properly] but it is the tenants responsibility to change the batteries. It's sad that they are so inaccessible for many of us. My son changes the batteries in mine as I shouldn't really be using a ladder and I find it awkward as well.  
My suggestion for you to avoid having something this distressing happen in the middle of the night or some other very inconvenient time is to make a schedule for changing the batteries in all your smoke alarms at the same time. I've read different advice on how often this should be but maybe either once or twice a year? Perhaps you could mark it on your calendar each year when the new calendars come out.