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 Tennessee, state statutes require landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors in leased residential premises. According to Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-102-151, smoke alarms are mandatory in all dwellings, and they must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Additionally, the law mandates that smoke alarms be placed in every sleeping area, in the vicinity outside of sleeping areas, and on each level of the residence. As for carbon monoxide detectors, Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-120-114 requires that they be installed in any dwelling unit that contains a fossil-fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage. These detectors must also be maintained in good working order. While Tennessee law does not specify the type of smoke detector technology to be used (such as photoelectric or ionization), landlords are responsible for ensuring that the devices are functional and comply with the applicable safety standards.