Regulation for smoke detectors (Baden Württemberg)

Every year, 600 people die in apartment fires in Germany, most are surprised in their sleep.
The installation of smoke detectors is a modernization measure according to § 555b BGB. Therefore, landlords are entitled to increase the annual net cold rent by 11% of the acquisition cost. Tenants must tolerate the installation, even if they have already installed smoke detectors themselves.

For the purchase and maintenance of the life-saving smoke detectors different regulations apply in each federal state.

According to the regulation in the state building regulations for Baden-Württemberg, the smoke detector obligation applies to all apartments and there at least one smoke detector each for living rooms in which persons sleep as intended and corridors that serve as escape routes.

Who is responsible for the installation and operation of smoke detectors in Baden Württemberg?

• Installation: The owner of the house / apartment is responsible for installing the smoke detector.

• Operation / Maintenance: For maintenance, eg. battery change, regular test of the smoke detector and maintenance is the responsibility of the resident / tenant. This does not apply if it is agreed that the owner will take over the maintenance.