What to do about a smoking tenant after she leaves...

[Charles Oglesby]

I have a unit that is coming available at the end of the month. During our inspection a few months back we could smell smoke in the unit. I am assuming that despite our letter she went back to smoking in the unit.

My question is has anyone had experience getting a smoke smell out of a home and what methods did you use to do so? It wasn't a heavy smoke smell and she was only in the unit for one year but it was present.   Any help is appreciated. 

[Greg M.]

Was it in the lease that it was a non-smoking unit? If so, hire a smoke remediation company to come out and clean the unit. Take the cost of it from her security deposit.

If it wasn't in the lease and you're footing the bill, then wipe down all the surfaces including the ceiling with vinegar or ammonia mixed with hot water. You may need to have the air vents professionally cleaned. Get an ozone generator and run it for a few days.