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What smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules apply to landlords in Texas?
Short answer
Smoke alarms: one in each bedroom, tested and working when the tenant takes possession
When: When the lease starts
Install at least one smoke alarm in each separate bedroom (plus corridor and per-level alarms where required), and confirm each one works at the beginning of the tenant's possession by testing it. During the lease you must inspect and repair an alarm when the tenant reports a problem.
"A landlord shall install at least one smoke alarm in each separate bedroom in a dwelling unit." tcss.legis.texas.gov
"The landlord shall determine that the smoke alarm is in good working order at the beginning of the tenant's possession by testing the smoke alarm with smoke, by operating the testing button on the smoke alarm, or by following other recommended test procedures of the manufacturer for the particular model." tcss.legis.texas.gov
Smoke alarms: one in each bedroom, tested and working when the tenant takes possession Verified
Deadline: When the lease starts
Install at least one smoke alarm in each separate bedroom (plus corridor and per-level alarms where required), and confirm each one works at the beginning of the tenant's possession by testing it. During the lease you must inspect and repair an alarm when the tenant reports a problem.
"A landlord shall install at least one smoke alarm in each separate bedroom in a dwelling unit." tcss.legis.texas.gov
"The landlord shall determine that the smoke alarm is in good working order at the beginning of the tenant's possession by testing the smoke alarm with smoke, by operating the testing button on the smoke alarm, or by following other recommended test procedures of the manufacturer for the particular model." tcss.legis.texas.gov
Notes: Tex. Prop. Code 92.255 and 92.258. You do not have to supply batteries after move-in if the alarm worked when the tenant took possession.
Last verified 2026-10-21 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction