Tennessee law requires an approved smoke alarm in every one- or two-family rental unit, audible in the sleeping rooms. Landlords must ensure alarms work before a new tenant moves in. Violations are a Class A misdemeanor under TCA 68-102-151.
Under Tennessee Code Annotated §68-102-151, it is unlawful to own or operate a one- or two-family rental unit without an approved smoke alarm in each living unit, and the alarm must produce a warning sound audible in the sleeping rooms. Tenants maintain the alarms during the tenancy per the manufacturer's instructions, but the owner must confirm each required alarm is operational before the unit is reoccupied. Alarms must be installed per the state building safety standards. This statewide rule applies throughout Hamilton County; newer construction also follows the adopted residential code for hard-wired, interconnected alarms in and outside sleeping areas.
A violation is a Class A misdemeanor, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense under TCA §68-102-151.
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