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 West Virginia, state statutes require landlords to install and maintain smoke detectors in leased residential premises. These regulations are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of tenants by providing early warning in the event of a fire. While the specific requirements for the type of smoke detectors (such as photoelectric or ionization sensors) may not be as explicitly defined as in some other states, landlords are nonetheless responsible for ensuring that functional smoke detectors are present in accordance with state housing codes and safety standards. Additionally, West Virginia law mandates the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors in residential rental properties. This is particularly important in dwellings that contain fuel-burning appliances, have attached garages, or other sources of carbon monoxide. The combination of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the same device is a common solution that complies with these safety requirements.