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 Connecticut (CT), state statutes require landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors in leased residential premises. Connecticut law mandates that smoke detectors be placed in every sleeping room and adjacent hallways in all new residential buildings, as well as in existing residential buildings undergoing alterations, repairs, or additions. The state also requires carbon monoxide detectors in residential buildings that have a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. These detectors must be installed in a location where they can be heard from sleeping areas. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order at the beginning of a tenancy and must repair or replace any detectors that are reported as malfunctioning during the tenancy. Tenants, on the other hand, are responsible for maintaining the detectors during their tenancy, including replacing batteries. Connecticut's regulations are designed to ensure the safety of residents by reducing the risks associated with fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.