Recent research by insurer Interpolis shows that about one in six Dutch households does not have a smoke detector in their home. The main reason is that people don’t think about it. In addition, some tenants wait for their landlord to arrange smoke detectors. If people do have a smoke detector at home, it does not always work and is sometimes still in the packaging.
The obligation to arrange smoke detectors has been in effect for new-build houses since 2003; from 1 July also for existing houses. In rental properties, landlords are responsible for installing smoke detectors. In practice, checking the smoke detector obligation is difficult, but the fire service, among others, emphasizes that you hang your smoke detector “for your own safety”.