What rights do I have as a renter if the fire alarms keep going off?

We've been living in a new development apartments since they opened and last night (2AM) there was yet another false fire alarm. This makes 6 in the past 4 1/2 months. This is the 3rd alarm to go off after midnight, and it is so bad that some of the residents who've been through the past few didn't even leave the building.

Personally, we're going out every time, even though we're fairly certain it's another false alarm, but better safe than sorry. That being said, there has to be some recourse or compensation for these repeated problems. I understand that it's a new building and there are kinks, but this is ridiculous.

I'm hoping that someone knows renter laws in California (SF area, if it matters) and can recommend what the next step would be. We've already drafted a firm, but civil, letter to the management company explaining exactly all the incidents and our frustrations.

But we're wondering what we can do if they just brush it off and ignore us.

TIA,
Sleepless in San Francisco

Thank you for the responses so far, but I should have made it clearer that these alarms are due to problems with the fire alarm system, not because of people setting off the alarms (intentionally or otherwise).

We know that the problems are with the fire alarm system because after every incident, the building notifies all the tenants that they will be doing testing the next day as they work to fix the problem.

This is very problematic for us, even though we are at work, because we have a small dog and the alarms are very loud and very shrill. It's comforting to know that we couldn't possibly sleep through it, but it terrifies our dog. At least when we are home we can take her out of the building for a walk, but coming home to find a dog that's literally shaking and a note that testing was done throughout the day is very frustrating and unfair to us, especially the dog.

If you are talking about within the city limits you can go to the housing authority and complain about "loss of quiet use". SF is very strict about it, as this is something the landlord controls. Also say something about fearing that you will have an actual fire and disregard the alarm. I am not sure about the exact wording to use, but SF takes their fire codes VERY seriously.

He will be required to fix the wiring, which is most likely the problem. Or install cameras if it is pranksters.

It has nothing to do with renter's laws, it has to do with disturbing the peace.

Keep in mind that the fire department will only answer so may of those calls before they will start to levy VERY heavy fines on the apartment complex to get the "kinks" fixed, when they come out and discover it's a false alarm.

That is when the problem will take care of itself.

Your building might need to install cameras to keep an eye on courtyards, then basement, and hallways. Its good for security and safety, and It will capture video of people pulling the alarm.

Its probably kids, or couple fighting. Have there been any thefts recently? Has anyone been having serious problems with a neighbor over the past 4.5 months?
Someone is starving for attention, and its getting dangerous.

It doesn't seem to be the landlords problem, unless its a mechanical problem with the actual fire detection/alarm system. Is that the problem? If its just people pulling the alarm, it's NOT the landlors fault.

Would it be the landlords fault if you were renting a house and the neighbors kid came to your door bell in the midle of the night and rang it to wake you up? Would it be the landlords fault if your neighbor got dropped off from work at 2 am and the person dropping him/her off honked his horn as he was going away? Management cant help your neighbor be a good neighbor. And management can't shut off the fire alarm system.

This does not seem to be a case where a renter/owner is being prevented from "quiet use" of their property through an action fo the landlord, as would be the case if there was construction going on at the landlords request in the middle of the night.

It sounds like you need to organize people in your development to stop this. You might invite someone from the fire department to come in and have a talk with the residents.
You might organize a committee to go door to do as Friends and neighbors to ask that everyone keep their eyes open for the safety of the development.

You could try a community watch?

Worse come to worse, just put up stickers near all the fire alarms, and a few other places (for the sake of realism) that say the area is under surveillance and that for safety , they may be video taped.

This is disturbing the peace, and you should perhaps make the police aware of the situation if they are now aware already.

Good Luck!


PS

You should organize committe for the residents of the development and have them act as liason with management. You should also get in direct contact with the alarm company to find out what the complete nautre of the problem. Ask when the repair people are there or just call and ask, they will probably tell you. That way you will know what needs to be done, and how long it will take to correct.