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.

Smokers get a bad rap because to non-smokers, the smell you carry around with you after you smoke is stomach turning. Smokers can't smell their own cigarette stench. My mother started smoking at 15 and did not quit until she was 65 when it was too late. She was diagnosed with COPD. She died at 83. The last four years of her life were horrible. She was rail thin because people who are in late stage COPD burn up about 5,000 calories a day because every single muscle in your body has to work so hard to just take a breath. She was on full time O2. And, she would become exhausted while eating a very small meal, because when you swallow you can't breathe. The doctors said all of her other organs, liver, kidney, were that of a much younger person. Her lungs were shot and that puts enormous stress on the heart. So, young smokers, this is a glimpse into your future. Oh, that won't happen to me, you say. I heard Mom say that a thousand times. Even if you don't smoke inside the house, you carry the odor of the smoke into the home. You smoke in your car and your clothes and your hair carry the smell inside the house. The closet stinks because of the smoke smell in the clothes. And, in closing, when the weather is storming or when the high for the day is 26 degrees or 112 degrees you will smoke in the house. This is just a sample of why smokers get a bad wrap.

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.

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.

Oh, you're welcome! I've suggested to some who are in advocacy groups for us PV users that maybe we should all leave the word 'cigarette' out of the description of these devices.Why? Because technically and literally speaking, they are an electronic nicotine delivery system, if you choose to have any nicotine in them at all. You can't "smoke" a personal vaporizer.PVs are getting a bad rep thanks to the pharma companies who lose money on their chemical nicotine delivery systems and from the tobacco companies who are noticing a drop in people buying PVs instead of cigarettes. When I go to my doctor, I take my little PV with me and while I'm waiting for him to come in the exam room, I'll take a puff or two or three, and he never even notices it - and he's a non-smoker. Nothing lingers; the vapor just dissipates into the air leaving no odor or anything behind.

smokers?

Kevin Harrison

OP

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

11y

Alright everyone. I am back from the weekend with the family. We had a great trip to DC to see the sights and a few nice meals both at home and out.

First of all I would like to thank everyone again who has taken the time to comment.

I guess what I have taken away from this is that most smokers are inconsiderate or oblivious to the smell that comes along with it.

@Pat L. Thanks for the photos. Those people must smoke like a freight train. The pictures are definitely something to make you think twice. It is awesome that they were willing to pay increased rent and for the annual cleaning. Have you thought about keeping that unit smoking and trying to hit that niche market with the one unit? It seems like if these people were willing too pay more there will likely be others. And especially when they cover the maintenance costs and pay a premium of over $200 more a month.

Has anyone else given any thought or had any success with trying to make a niche market out of smoking units? I would be curious to find out. I think I would consider this with either a lower end unit or one that has already had inside smokers even if there weren't suppose too? It may save on the cost of smoke remediation and allow you to pull a premium rent.

smokers?

Most Popular Reply

81 Replies