Smoking in Units

[Brad Z.]

Do you allow smoking in middle to low income areas? I have completely rehabbed a property and would like to find solid non smoking tenants but will that seriously deter renters? Its a two unit, with 1 unit per floor. If the lower level unit smokes and the sencond floor doesnt, the smell will cause issues? What are your thoughts?

[Michael Rossi]

The lower class smokes! It's as simple as that! If you don't allow smoking in a typical lower class or blue collar rental, you will have a much smaller pool of tenants from which to choose. Moreover, people will likely still smoke in your rental - either the tenants or their friends. Whatever sanctions your lease calls for in the event the tenant smokes is a JOKE in typical rentals. What are you going to do - sue a lower class or blue-collar tenant? Good luck with that!

I'd just let the tenants smoke and keep your rentals filled.

Good Luck,

Mike