Smoking is a pretty usual activity, and a lot of people are doing it. I am sure that you will encounter tenants who are smokers. And it is not just cigarette smoking anymore because smoking marijuana is also becoming legal nowadays.
However, allowing them to smoke inside the property can be a problem. First, it’s a fire hazard, and therefore not safe. Second, some tenants might complain of the smell. That is why landlords opt to set up a no-smoking policy, which must be on your lease agreement.
They can either smoke outside the property and within a specific distance, or you can provide a smoking area for them. What happens if the tenant breaks the policy? How can you prove that a tenant is smoking inside the unit? I’m here to list down the signs your tenant is smoking.
• You can smell it
One thing that non-smokers do not like about smoking is the smell. It has a distinct smell that can easily be identified as cigarette smoke. Marijuana joints also have a specific smell. They will likely try to cover it up with scented candles or air fresheners.
However, the smell can stick to some clothes and furniture. Upon inspection, try to check if you can smell cigarette smoke or marijuana. Try to check the couch and curtains while you are there.
• There are visible stains
Not only do cigarettes smell, but they can also leave stains around the house. They can leave stains on the walls, counters, and even curtains. Look for patches of brown and yellow because those can be signs that someone is smoking inside.
Some tenants will attempt to cover some stains by painting over them. If you see a newly painted wall, chances are they are trying to hide the cigarette stains. Make it a point to include it in your lease agreement that painting the walls without your permission is prohibited.
• Presence of cigarette butts and joints
Some tenants can get pretty crafty when they are trying to hide their smoking activities. They will take measures to make it look like they are following the policy.
Some will save cigarette butts and marijuana joints and dump them at the smoking area, so you would think they were smoking there. Be suspicious if you find a lot of these in the smoking area. This may be harder to prove, but it may give you a hint.
• There are burns
Sometimes a smoking tenant can accidentally burn a part of a furniture or carpet. This will be more obvious because a burn mark is visible and hard to cover up. Include burn marks in your list to watch out for when inspecting a property.
• Look for residue
The ash from smoking cigarettes can also be discovered in some tight corners inside the property. Hardened ash is difficult to clean, especially in small spaces that are difficult to reach. Try to check the surfaces for any residue that your tenant was unable to remove.
If you have a no-smoking policy, you have to stick to it, and no one should be an exemption. If you see any of these signs, the first thing to do is to talk to the concerned tenant. Remind them that they signed a lease agreement stating that smoking is not allowed indoors.
You can also put up no-smoking signs around the property to remind them every day. If that’s not enough, send out a memo to jog their memory that such actions are prohibited, and are subject to consequences.
If the tenant still refused to follow the rules on smoking despite several warnings, you can charge them for the damages they caused because they smoked indoors. You can also consider evicting them because it is a clear violation of the contract. I know it’s difficult to fill in a vacancy, but you have Padleads to help you with that. Create your property listing at their website, syndicate it to other web pages, and you’ll have tenant applicants in no time.
Being a landlord can be difficult sometimes, but it is because there are difficult tenants. Always make sure that you stick to your rules, and your tenants should stick to them as well.