Smoke & CO Alarms in Rentals: Who Is Responsible
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire roughly in half, but in rentals it isn’t always clear who has to install them, test them and replace the batteries. The answer depends on your state and city, but most places follow a similar pattern.
- Renters
- Landlords
Typical duties
| Task | Usually the landlord | Usually the tenant |
|---|---|---|
| Install smoke alarms in each unit | Yes, as required by state or local law | No |
| Install CO alarms (where required) | Yes, in many states, especially with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages | No |
| Make sure alarms work at move-in | Yes, in many places | Test and report problems |
| Replace batteries | Sometimes, especially for sealed 10-year alarms | Often the tenant during the lease |
| Replace an alarm that is old or broken | Yes, in most places | Report it promptly |
| Common-area alarms and sprinklers | Yes | No |
| Never disable, remove or cover an alarm | Same rule | Same rule |
These are general patterns, not legal advice. Check your state or city housing, building or fire code, and your lease.
What tenants should do
- Test every alarm when you move in, and then monthly
- Look for one in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level
- Check the date on the back. Smoke alarms should be replaced about every 10 years; CO alarms every 5 to 10 years
- Replace batteries when the alarm chirps, if it’s your job under the lease
- Report missing, broken or expired alarms to the landlord in writing
See Smoke & CO Alarms.
Never disable an alarm
- Don’t take out the battery because of cooking smoke. Move the alarm farther from the kitchen, or fan the area, or ask the landlord about a different type.
- Don’t cover alarms with plastic or tape.
- Don’t paint alarms.
In many places, disabling an alarm can lead to fines or be a lease violation. More important, it can cost lives.
If your landlord won’t act
- Write a dated letter or message asking for working alarms, and keep a copy.
- If nothing happens, contact your local fire marshal, fire department or building code office. Many will inspect or order the landlord to fix it.
- Contact your state or local housing agency or a tenants’ rights group.
- In some places you can buy an alarm yourself and deduct the cost, or take other remedies. Don’t withhold rent or deduct costs unless you’re sure your local law allows it. Get advice first.
Landlords can’t legally retaliate against tenants for reporting safety problems in most places. See Tenant Safety Rights.
For landlords
- Know your local alarm requirements, including any rules for CO and interconnected alarms, and keep records of installation and testing.
- Provide working alarms before each new tenant moves in.
- Consider sealed 10-year battery alarms, which prevent dead-battery problems.
- See Landlord Safety Duties.
Standards & references
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