The areas are low income, so I’m reluctant to have a “no smoking” policy because I think it will be hard to find tenants.
But are you able to get rid of the smoky smell after the chain smoker moves out? Also, has anyone ever had a fire at a property caused by a smoker?
People use ozone machines to clear the air and TSP to wash the walls.
Painting the walls with Kilz helps-I still say make the property no smoking. let the tenants smoke outside.
Our local rental market is slow, unemployment, etc., and anyone with decent credit can buy a house and get the 8k in rebate for a first time buyer. I have upscale apartments but have had to lower rent and accept a smoker. I Hate it but waiting another month for that perfect tenant is hard to swallow. Anyway she is a good tenant but what I did was write in the lease a non refundable $200 fee to clean and remove any smoke smell. Better a solid tenant that hopefully will quit smoking insteed of a shakey one that says they do not smoke.
Tenants Smoke! It’s that simple. Some with lie and say they don’t smoke. Some actually don’t smoke but their low income friends and family do. Some will say that they smoke, but only outside - yeah right!
The bottom line is the lower class in our society (tenant’s) smoke. Therefore, since I want to have my rentals occupied, I allow smoking. I don’t worry about that smokey smell when the tenant leaves. That smell will make the next tenant feel right at home!
Mike
ah just use cheap filters and repaint with kilz primer when they move out. Some will tell you they dont smoke when they really do. So just be prepared.