All states have laws (statutes) that require landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors in leased residential premises (apartments, homes).

Some states such as Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Vermont require photoelectric or ionization sensors—at least in new construction. And Oregon requires smoke detectors with a HUSH mechanism that allows the alarm to be silenced or temporarily desensitized for 7 minutes while a known condition such as cooking is causing the alarm to activate.

Most states also require landlords to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors in leased residential premises. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are widely available in the same device.

In New Jersey, landlords are required by law to install and maintain smoke detectors in leased residential premises. The New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.19) specify the requirements for the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors in residential buildings. Additionally, New Jersey law mandates the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in residential properties that contain any fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage. These requirements are outlined in the New Jersey Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.). The law stipulates that the detectors must be located within 10 feet of each sleeping area and on every level of the residence. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that these devices are in working order at the beginning of a tenancy, while tenants are typically responsible for the maintenance of the detectors during their occupancy, such as replacing batteries. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties for the landlord.