La. Stat. Ann. § R.S. 40:1581
Smoke detectors; carbon monoxide detectors; one- or two-family dwellings
Operative Text
§1581. Smoke detectors; carbon monoxide detectors; one- or two-family dwellings A. All existing one- or two-family dwellings at the time of sale or lease shall contain, at a minimum, an operable ten-year, sealed lithium battery smoke detector. B. All existing one- or two-family dwellings at the time of sale or lease shall contain, at a minimum, an operable carbon monoxide detector with a long-life, sealed battery. The carbon monoxide detector may be combined with smoke detection. C. Professional installers who install generators in one- or two-family dwellings shall include with installation of a home generator, at minimum, an operable carbon monoxide detector with a long-life, sealed battery. The carbon monoxide detector may be combined with smoke detection. D. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Section shall not be a reason for nonpayment of any insurance claims. E. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Section shall not cause a delay or a stoppage in the transfer of the property. F. The real estate agent shall not be liable for the seller's failure to comply with the provisions of this Section.
La. R.S. § 40:1581 establishes that one- or two-family dwellings in Louisiana must have at least an operable ten-year sealed lithium battery smoke detector and an operable carbon monoxide detector with a long-life sealed battery at the time of sale or lease. The two detector types may be combined into a single unit. Notably, noncompliance does not void insurance claims, halt property transfers, or expose real estate agents to liability for a seller's failure to meet these requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under La. R.S. § 40:1581, operators of one- or two-family dwellings generally ensure that qualifying smoke and carbon monoxide detectors meeting the statute's battery and operability specifications are in place before any sale or lease transaction is completed. If a home generator is professionally installed, the installer is responsible for including a compliant carbon monoxide detector as part of that work. Keeping documentation of detector installation and model specifications is a common practice among compliant property owners.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
La. R.S. § 40:1581 gives tenants of one- or two-family dwellings the right to expect an operable ten-year sealed lithium battery smoke detector and a long-life sealed battery carbon monoxide detector to be present at the start of a lease. If these detectors are absent or inoperable at move-in, tenants may wish to document the condition in writing and explore options such as contacting a local housing authority, raising the issue with a tenant-rights organization, or consulting an attorney familiar with Louisiana housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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