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 Indiana, state statutes require landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors in leased residential premises. Indiana Code 22-11-18-3.5 specifically mandates that smoke detectors be installed in each dwelling unit of a rental property. These detectors must be capable of sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion and must be maintained in good working order. While Indiana law does not specify the type of sensor (photoelectric or ionization) required, landlords are responsible for the installation, repair, and replacement of these devices. Additionally, Indiana Code 22-11-18-3.1 requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in residential buildings where there is a source of carbon monoxide, such as those with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Landlords must ensure that both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and functional to comply with these safety regulations.