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 Oklahoma, state statutes require landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors in leased residential premises. Oklahoma Statute Title 74, Section 318.1 mandates that smoke detectors be installed in all dwellings, including apartments and homes that are rented out. These detectors must be in working condition and should be placed in accordance with the recommendations of the National Fire Protection Association. While Oklahoma law does not specify the type of smoke detector technology to be used (such as photoelectric or ionization sensors), landlords are responsible for ensuring the devices are operational at the beginning of a tenancy. Additionally, Oklahoma has adopted regulations for carbon monoxide detectors. According to Oklahoma Statute Title 74, Section 318.2, carbon monoxide detectors are required in any dwelling unit that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Landlords must install and maintain these detectors to protect tenants from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is common for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be combined into a single device, which is available for purchase and installation.