New landlord - Allow a smoker?

Question

I'm a new landlord in a HCOL area with lots of highly paid young professionals. I have a well qualified applicant (2 friends whom lived together before), but one of them let me know they smoke. They assured me they would only do it outside, but not sure I can completely trust them. The other friend doesn't smoke.

They would be sharing the security deposit (~2500-3000) so I think that gives some security, but really on the fence. It seems like worst case that would cover the cost to repaint. I only have hardwood, no carpet.

How does everyone feel about smokers? I have a few other applicants, but no one as qualified as these folks.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

He admitted it up front so there's a pretty good chance he'll be honest and smoke outside, particularly if the roommate doesn't smoke. It's better than having two tenants that lie about it and then smoke inside.

If you're worried about it, wait a month and then hit them with an inspection to verify.

Account Closed · Answer

@Daniel Dobalian

Clause

6.33          The Tenant covenants and agrees to refrain from smoking AND vaping anywhere on the property. Failure to do so constitutes ground for termination and may result in immediate eviction.

Explanation

6.33          If you smoke on the property you’re getting evicted. The very first time.

Monitor closely. If you live in a climate with legitimate winter they will absolutely break this clause so be prepared.

Jeff Willis · Answer

If this is a multi-unit, I would never rent to a smoker. Even if they smoke outside, it can impact others in the complex. Nothing is more offensive than having second-hand smoke drifting into another smoke-free area.

Joseph Hammel · Answer

Make the lease "tight" regarding smoking. Spell out what will happen if they do. I don't have an example of the language to use because my leases could use some updating anyway.

Good luck!

Anthony Wick · Answer

@Daniel Dylan

My lease addresses this, including no smoking in the property itself (basement, garage, porch, etc), and it spells out the consequences for each violation (fines, eviction, etc).

Now, that being said, if I know they smoke I simply do not rent to them. Why? They will violate the lease. It’s Iowa. They are not going to step off the property and smoke in the cold. They already probably do that at work.

I would rent to someone else. But that’s just me.

Sam Shueh · Answer

If they are professionals they know better. I tell everyone landlord do not care what kind of recreational stuff they smoke so long as refrained inside the house.

Michele Z. · Answer

From the tenant's perspective:

Having lived in a garden style multi-unit where people would "only smoke outside" they would inevitably step away from their unit and step in front of mine, where it would drift into my apartment. As a tenant it is beyond frustrating. You become trapped in your own unit - you can never open the windows on a beautiful day because someone else smokes. Even worse if you have a smoke allergy like I do and specifically searched for a smoke free building.

In our current multi-unit (5 floors) there was a tenant who tried to get around the no smoking building policy by leaning out their window and dropping their butts into our yard (basement apartment with a yard) for my dog and kid to crawl in. Another litters the front yard with cigarette butts, again stepping away from their apartment and sitting in front of mine.... because when the weather changes you don't want to go far from the building. It's just the way it is

I say keep non-smoking properties non-smoking.

Nicole Heasley Beitenman · Answer

I agree. Most non-smokers will not put up with someone smoking in their home, and they've lived together previously. I'd actually be more wary of cigarette butts lying around. Be sure to include a clause about waste disposal and enforce it. Nothing drives me crazier than cigarette butts all over a driveway. Gross!

David Campbell · Answer

@Daniel Dylan

Spell it all out explicitly in the lease. I disallow smoking of any kind, even marijuana in states where it is legal, and vape, and put them each as line items in the lease.

Marcus Auerbach · Answer

Anything can be fixed and that includes smoke smell. Make sure the lease spells out a hefty penalty like all new paint and carpet etc - in reality most of the time an Ozone treatment wil take care of it.

We own an ozone generator, takes care of all sorts of smells and also mold and mildew. If you don't have one you can rent one or hire a treatment - my home inspector will do it for $300.

New landlord - Allow a smoker?

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