I have been a part of BP for over a year now and have been a smoker since I was way to young, but my question is when did smokers get such a bad rap? I personally don't smoke inside of even my own home, not even once. I did it at the first place I lived because it was already a smokers house, and realized that its a no go. I know many smokers who are not "trashy" people and there might be 1% who smoke inside and they all own their own homes. These people wouldn't even consider smoking inside of someone else's home or place of business. Why does every LL on here it seems think that if someone smokes they will do it inside of their residence, no if ands or butts? (pun intended) The only people I know who do smoke inside tend to be either shut-ins or (how do I say this without being rude?) very low class. Do people think we have no self control? We are all just "junkies" fending for that next fix? You want to know what I do when its really cold and I don't want to go outside to smoke? I just don't smoke, or I suck it us and step out on to the back porch. As far as cigarette butts go I keep a nice little vase I bought for about $7 from Wal-Mart right next to my front and back doors and empty it weekly. So where did the bad rap come from? People still rent to low-income and know they have a higher propensity of trashing a place but don't let that stop them, yet if someone who make good money and has a steady job smokes all of the sudden they are definitely a no go to rent too. I just don't get it.

A little steamed from that other thread about smoking? ;-)I do think some people take it a bit far, but many LLs also are very anti-pets. In the end, it is their property, so they'll do what they want, but they also could be missing out on a great tenant.I do not allow smoking in my units and have in my lease that there is a $15 fee as additional rent for each butt I find in the yard any time. Not sure if this is collectible or not as I haven't had to test it, because as you know, smokers aren't bad people. I know many times they do come outside to smoke because I'll be driving the area and happen to drive past (2 of my properties are on a fairly busy road) and see them sitting on the front porch having a smoke.However, I have had some of my tenants smoke inside. One girl even knew I was coming to the property yet was smoking and when I knocked on her door, I could hear her spraying air freshener while I stood in the hall waiting for her to answer. I called her out on it. She's a great tenant otherwise, and I wouldn't call her "low-class." But she got lazy. I wouldn't doubt if she's continued to smoke inside. But as long as things aren't damaged, I'm happy. I go over there and generally, it smells just fine and the place looks great! And I'm not a smoker, so I "can smell."

I don't allow smoking in my properties. It is absolutely NOT because of the people who do the smoking, it is simply because of the smoke itself. Even if people do smoke outside 100% of the time (which they don't) the smoke smell still makes it into their clothes and then into the house. The smell then seeps into the carpet and drywall. It gives it a very distinct ashtray smell and isn't easy to get rid of. Again, nothing wrong with the people. I have friends that smoke like chimneys, but I can't handle the smoke smell going into my properties.

@Luka Milicevic @Jenny Del Toro @Colleen F. Thank you to everybody for giving me your views and experiences. While I may always smoke outside maybe my view is skewed because smoking is a social thing a lot of times, and when I smoke I go outside so people smoking with me will tend to follow suite. While you have opened my eyes to why so many people are against it, I still don't think we deserve quite the negativity we get. I appreciate that we can have a lively discussion about things here on BP without any mud slinging. I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Several different tenants. Not a dozen because I learned to just say non-smokers only. It's all in what is important to you, and I just don't want smoke in my homes. If you don't mind taking that risk, then you'll be able to provide a market that others are not servicing and probably have longer-term tenants because fewer other places to go. I, personally, target renters with a well trained large family dog as I went through a very difficult time finding a rental when we moved to a new area with our 75-lb lab, so we focused on single family detached with nice fenced backyards. I have many conditions attached and charge a larger security deposit to lessen my risk, but I'm willing to take that risk where I am not willing to put up with smoking in my house. You choosing to rent to smokers might be your niche market.

@Cheryl Daniels- it's tough with inherited tenants. I once discovered my folks were smoking when I changed the furnace filters. When they moved in, smoking was ok. Ugh! You are taking great steps with the face-to-face notice, education and detectors. It took me a while to get mine all smoke free (except for 3 in one building still) but it's worth it. Hard to bring in thoroughbreds with a stable of donkeys! The good folks won't put up with it and won't apply.

For me the bad rap comes from: - the couch in our furnished rental they set on fire. - the butts they throw out the car window - the still burning butts they throw by the (dry wood) barn - the burn marks on the wood floor the smell. I understand the habit. I grew up in a smoking household and I know what it was like to live with smokers. 3 of 7 of us smoke as adults. Some smoke outside but I would put that higher then 1% smoking inside. I know people can be responsible but tenants always say I will go outside and only about half actually mean it. My brother smokes "outside" and his house reeks...

Even with no-indoor-smoking rules in solid B areas, not low-income, I've had carpets and linoleum burned by cigarette butts, not to mention the smell in the walls and carpet. I do not smoke, but I know plenty of smokers, and most of those I know do smoke inside their home, especially when it's raining or cold outside. And even if they do go outside, it's usually not far enough away to keep all smoke from entering the house. No, thank you. Non-smokers only for me now.

Hi. I have a smoke free multi-family home. I reside on the first floor. I went over the lease with my first new tenants. The other tenants were living here before I starting buying the property. Anyway...the first night the tenant smoked. I knocked on the door and stated no smoking. I then put a notice in the hallway. Now Im putting a notice about the damage from cigarette smoke, benefits of having a smoke free building, and a warning that violation will result in 30 notice to vacate ( tenants are on month to month). Additionally, I am scheduling a home inspection for smoke damage. Finally, I am considering installing a light up detector and a cigarette smoke detector. Any advise or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

smokers?

Kevin Harrison

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Investor · Woodbridge, VA · Member since 2015 · 476 posts · 197 votes

smokers?

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