Rules by state
Ohio
Ohio does not appear to have a New Jersey-style statewide smoke/CO resale certificate for ordinary one- to four-family home transfers. Instead, the statewide transfer rule I found is Ohio’s residential property disclosure requirement, while smoke and carbon monoxide alarm obligations come from Ohio building/fire code rules and any lender, insurer, or contract requirements.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- At sale or transfer
- For ordinary Ohio residential sales/transfers, I found a required state property disclosure form but no statewide pre-closing smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm inspection certificate requirement for typical 1- to 4-unit home transfers.
- Code reference
- R.C. 5302.30; OAC 1301:5-6-10; OAC 4101:8-3-01; OAC 1301:17-1-17
Official resources in Ohio
Ohio’s main law requiring a residential property disclosure form for most 1- to 4-unit transfers.
Adopts the state residential property disclosure form used in Ohio home sales.
Ohio’s residential code chapter for one-, two-, and three-family dwellings, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarm provisions.
Ohio statute requiring smoke detector devices in certain apartment and condominium settings.
Ohio’s licensed home inspector standards, including reporting the presence or absence of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Key facts for Ohio
- R.C. 5302.30 requires a residential property disclosure form for most Ohio transfers of 1- to 4-unit residential real property.
- OAC 1301:5-6-10 prescribes the Ohio disclosure form; the form is not an alarm certificate and says it is not a substitute for inspections.
- OAC 1301:17-1-17 requires licensed home inspectors to report the presence or absence of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- OAC 1301:17-1-17 says home inspectors are not required to test smoke or carbon monoxide alarms or determine their age or type.
- OAC 4101:8-3-01 requires carbon monoxide alarms in new dwellings with a fuel-fired appliance or attached garage, and in some permitted alterations to existing dwellings.
- In the Ohio code sections I found, smoke alarms are hardwired with battery backup where commercial power exists; I found no statewide 10-year sealed-battery resale rule for ordinary home transfers.
What to do next
- Use the Ohio disclosure form early, then separately verify alarms during your buyer inspection because the form itself is not an alarm certification.
- If the home has fuel-fired equipment or an attached garage, compare the installed CO alarms to OAC 4101:8-3-01 before closing.
- Ask your inspector to note alarm locations and gaps in the written report; if work is being permitted, ask the local building department which current code edition they enforce.
Helpful guides
- Massachusetts 26F smoke and CO certificate: how it works
- New Jersey smoke, CO and fire extinguisher certificate for resale
- Where smoke alarms must go: levels, bedrooms and hallways
- Carbon monoxide alarm placement rules