Free Illinois Smoke Detector Disclosure
Illinois smoke detector disclosure under the Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60/). All new and replacement smoke alarms must use a 10-year sealed battery or be hardwired (effective January 1, 2023). At least one alarm required per floor and within 15 feet of every sleeping area.
The Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60/) requires every dwelling unit to be equipped with an approved smoke detector. As of January 1, 2023, all newly installed or replaced battery-powered smoke alarms in Illinois must contain a non-removable, non-replaceable 10-year sealed battery, or be hardwired with battery backup. The landlord must install at least one smoke detector per dwelling unit, on every floor including the basement, and within 15 feet of each sleeping area. Tenants are responsible for routine testing during the tenancy. The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal enforces the Act.
Illinois Smoke Detector Disclosure at a Glance
Statute
425 ILCS 60/
Battery
10-Year Sealed
Placement
Every Floor
Effective
Jan 1, 2023
Illinois Smoke Detector Act
Under 425 ILCS 60/, the landlord must install at least one approved smoke detector per dwelling unit, on every floor, within 15 feet of each sleeping area. As of January 1, 2023, all newly installed or replaced battery-powered alarms must have a 10-year sealed battery (or be hardwired with battery backup). Tenants are responsible for routine testing.
How to Use the Illinois Smoke Detector Disclosure
Identify when the notice is required
Identify when the disclosure is required: at every Illinois lease signing for any dwelling subject to the Illinois Smoke Detector Act (effectively all residential rentals in Illinois).
Prepare the notice
Confirm alarm placement: at least one approved smoke detector per dwelling, on every floor (including basement), within 15 feet of each sleeping area. Newly installed or replaced battery-powered alarms must have a 10-year sealed battery (post-Jan 1, 2023).
Serve the notice
Deliver the disclosure with the Illinois lease packet. The disclosure documents the location, type, and battery status of each alarm, and the tenant testing responsibility during the tenancy.
Follow statutory timeline
Document each alarm location and type. The tenant signed acknowledgment serves as evidence of installation at move-in. If the alarm fails during tenancy, the tenant must promptly notify the landlord for replacement.
Document the process
Retain a copy of the signed disclosure in the tenant file. Update if alarms are added, replaced, or relocated. Comply also with the Illinois Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act (430 ILCS 135/) where applicable.
Generate the Illinois Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a Illinois smoke detector disclosure. Service should comply with Illinois Smoke Detector Act (delivered with lease); retain proof of delivery.
Purpose of the Illinois smoke detector disclosure
This disclosure documents the Illinois landlord compliance with the Smoke Detector Act and informs the tenant of (1) the location of each smoke detector in the dwelling; (2) the type (battery 10-year sealed, hardwired with backup, or other); and (3) the tenant testing responsibility during the tenancy.
1. Parties & Property
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Illinois Smoke Detector Locations & Status
10-year sealed battery requirement
As of January 1, 2023, all newly installed or replaced battery-powered smoke alarms in Illinois must contain a non-removable, non-replaceable 10-year sealed battery, or be hardwired with battery backup. Pre-existing alarms with replaceable batteries are grandfathered until they fail or are replaced.
3. Notice Content
4. Signature
About This Illinois Notice
The Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60/1 et seq.) requires every Illinois residential dwelling to be equipped with at least one approved smoke detector per dwelling unit, on every floor including the basement, and within 15 feet of each sleeping area. As of January 1, 2023, all newly installed or replaced battery-powered smoke alarms must contain a non-removable, non-replaceable 10-year sealed battery, or be hardwired with battery backup. Pre-existing replaceable-battery alarms are grandfathered until they fail or are replaced. The landlord must install and maintain the alarms in working order; the tenant is responsible for routine testing during the tenancy. If an alarm fails, the tenant must promptly notify the landlord for replacement. Carbon monoxide detectors are separately required under the Illinois Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act (430 ILCS 135/) within 15 feet of every sleeping area in any dwelling that has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal enforces both acts. Violation may result in misdemeanor charges and civil penalties. Best practice: install only 10-year sealed-battery or hardwired alarms; document each location with photos at move-in; test at every move-in; provide the tenant with written testing instructions; and combine smoke + CO detectors in fuel-burning-appliance dwellings.
Illinois Statutory Requirements
- Statute: Illinois Smoke Detector Act, 425 ILCS 60/
- Applies to: all Illinois residential dwellings
- Battery requirement: 10-year sealed (Jan 1, 2023+) or hardwired with backup
- Placement: every floor, within 15 feet of each sleeping area
- Tenant responsibility: routine testing during tenancy
- CO detectors: separate requirement under 430 ILCS 135/ where applicable
Delivery Methods
- Hand-delivered at Illinois lease signing
- Certified mail with lease packet
- Electronic delivery with tenant consent
- Retain signed copy in tenant file
Common Mistakes
- Installing replaceable-battery alarms after January 1, 2023
- Missing alarms on a floor (basement, attic)
- Alarms more than 15 feet from a sleeping area
- Failing to document locations on the disclosure
- Forgetting CO detectors where required (fuel-burning appliances or attached garage)
- No tenant signed acknowledgment
Best Practices
- Test all alarms at every move-in
- Install only 10-year sealed battery alarms for replacements after Jan 1, 2023
- One alarm per sleeping area (best practice exceeds the 15-feet minimum)
- Combine smoke + CO detectors in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances
- Document with photos at move-in
- Provide tenant testing instructions
Bottom line
Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60/) requires working approved smoke detectors on every floor, within 15 feet of each sleeping area, in every Illinois rental. New or replaced battery-powered alarms after January 1, 2023 must have a 10-year sealed battery or be hardwired with backup. Tenant is responsible for testing. CO detectors separately required under 430 ILCS 135/ where fuel-burning appliances or attached garage exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is an Illinois smoke detector disclosure required?
An Illinois smoke detector disclosure should be provided at every Illinois lease signing for any dwelling subject to the Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60/), which applies to essentially all Illinois residential rentals.
What must the disclosure contain?
The disclosure documents the location and type of each smoke detector in the dwelling, the battery type (10-year sealed, hardwired with backup, or pre-2023 grandfathered), the carbon monoxide detector status where applicable, and the tenant testing responsibility during the tenancy.
How must the disclosure be delivered?
Hand-delivery with the Illinois lease packet is most common. Certified mail and electronic delivery (with tenant consent) are also permitted. Retain a signed copy in the tenant file.
What are the landlord and tenant obligations?
The Illinois landlord must install and maintain working approved smoke detectors at the required locations and battery types. The tenant is responsible for routine testing during the tenancy and must promptly notify the landlord of any failed alarm for replacement.
What is the 10-year sealed battery requirement?
As of January 1, 2023, all newly installed or replaced battery-powered smoke alarms in Illinois must contain a non-removable, non-replaceable 10-year sealed battery, or be hardwired with battery backup. Pre-existing replaceable-battery alarms are grandfathered until they fail or are replaced.
What are common mistakes?
Common mistakes include installing replaceable-battery alarms after January 1, 2023, missing alarms on a floor (basement, attic), alarms more than 15 feet from a sleeping area, failing to document locations, forgetting CO detectors where required, and no tenant signed acknowledgment.
Screen Illinois tenants thoroughly before move-in
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