Smoke odor is an expensive and complicated problem. If it’s some burnt toast, sure, opening the windows and turning a fan on can air it out but long-term damage from fire or smoking needs more care. That’s why so many rental property owners have no smoking rules. Not everyone is good at following rules, so how do you handle the different types of smoke damage?
Tobacco
Cigarette smoke is a notorious problem. It’s possible that gutting the house may not fix it – landlords have discussed carpet replacements, new air conditioning units and filters, ozoning, new paint to clean off nicotine stains, and countless more issues the smell causes.
If a tenant has smoked a traditional cigarette, pipe, or cigar on your property, there are two solutions:
Use Smoking to your Advantage
One solution may be simply to rent out to another smoker (it could be a great selling point!) until the time comes where you are financially able to really clean up everything from drywall to carpet.
Ozone Treatments
After heavy clean up (including removing all carpet, padding, and cleaning every surface from windows to ceiling) ozone treatment machines can remove the cigarette smell. Ozone treatments are often seen as a go-to for smoke removal and generally run around $300. Be aware that an ozone treatment is invasive, and people cannot be around while it happens, as the toxicity is high enough to cause serious harm.
Use Smoking to your Advantage
One solution may be simply to rent out to another smoker (it could be a great selling point!) until the time comes where you are financially able to really clean up everything from drywall to carpet.
Ozone Treatments
After heavy clean up (including removing all carpet, padding, and cleaning every surface from windows to ceiling) ozone treatment machines can remove the cigarette smell. Ozone treatments are often seen as a go-to for smoke removal and generally run around $300. Be aware that an ozone treatment is invasive, and people cannot be around while it happens, as the toxicity is high enough to cause serious harm.
Electronic Cigarettes
Over the last few years, electronic cigarettes have made a big splash. Traditional cigarettes have over fifty years of baggage attached to them, from chronic health issues to public perception, and media is trying to solve that with ‘vaping.’ The touted feature of e-cigarettes is the reduced smell. E-cigarettes such as nicotine based or essential oil have a less vivid odor, with some claiming the tech creates only 20% of the odor a regular cigarette does. How much something smells is a matter of opinion, but the general consensus is that while ‘Vape Pens’ do have an odor that ‘transfers‘, they do not have the lingering smell that requires a building be gutted.
While the long-term science is still out when it comes to electronic cigarettes in many, many ways, the likely case is that E-Cigarettes may be the safer bet when it comes to your property with reduced damages.
Alternative Smoke
22 states have legalized medical marijuana, and another 11 have legalized it recreationally. This rather pungent plant may now be a habit in your current renters, but luckily, while the smell is very recognizable, it doesn’t drench into drywall the way that nicotine does. Aerosols, incense, matches, and fans (and a good carpet clean) may be all you need for a whiff of fresh air again.
As for hookah, the scent doesn’t tend to stick, so most recommendations are simple DIY ways to clean up the smell. Air fresheners, purifiers, open windows and fans seem to be enough to clean up after a hookah session.
Your Rules
When you are writing up a lease, you have the choice to ban smoking on the premises. However, if your tenants have the license for medical marijuana, then you’ll need to ask a lawyer about the protections in your area.
If there are significant damages, and you stipulated a no smoking policy in that property, you can take the security deposit for smoking damages. However, be aware that you’ll need to provide evidence smoking was the cause of significant property damages and stay up-to-date on your state’s security deposit or fee laws.
Cigarette smoke is a messy, sticky problem and easy to get stuck on. If discussing the lease or altering it isn’t an option, open communication with your tenant to discuss options. Ask them to smoke outside, or their other patterns of smoking. With traditional cigarettes being the hardest to clean up, perhaps talking about solutions from E-Cigarettes, CBD oils, hookah and more so both parties can be happy.
Plenty of smokers will be happy to have their pipe dream fulfilled of smoking indoors, vaping or traditional cigarette, and it may be the right business move for you.
What are your opinions on smoking on a rental property?
