Long-term consequences of allowing a smoking tenant

[Lara N.]

Hello everyone,

I own a one bedroom condo in a desirable neighborhood & I will be leasing my unit very soon. I already had an interested prospective tenant view the property & he's quite interested.

He has a solid well paying job, has offered to pay 6 month's in advance & seems like an overall good possible tenant. The only downside is he smokes cigs but assured me he wouldn't smoke in the house. I have a balcony which he could use although I have concerns.

Even if I include a non-smoking in the house clause in the lease he could still smoke in the unit. Also, the smell disgusts me & it lingers everywhere, so even if he smoked outside the smell would be on his clothes which would transfer to the house/walls etc. I think over time the smell would build up in the house, regardless.

I have never leased out my unit before so I would enjoy hearing your experiences in similar situations, as well as your opinion & the downside of allowing a smoker in the unit, even if he smokes outside.

thank you!

[Thomas S.]

All smokers are liars when it comes to a promise to only smoke outside. If you believe any smoker when they tell you that you are in th wrong business.

If you have a no smoking clause you never rent to smokers, no exceptions.

If you want to rent to a smoker do not accept any rent payments in advance, that is clearly a bribe to confuse novice landlords. Offer him a M2M lease and tell him you will be inspecting to insure there is no smoke smell in the unit and will non renew if you find there is.

Trust when I say he will not take the unit.