Cigarettes! What Should I Do?

Question

Hi All!

Im looking to add my 2nd rental property. I found what seems to be a good deal except one of the bedrooms reeks of cigarettes. It is freshly painted and has a cheap, floating hard floor. It there a way to truly get rid of the smell? Or is this a deal breaker?

Thank in advance!

2 Door Tony

John Teachout · Answer

You can get rid of the smell but it may take some work. I'd start with getting an ozone generator in there for a while and see what that can help with.

Very smoky properties we've washed the walls twice with TSP, primed with oil based Kilz, two top coats and replaced all the flooring. If the subfloor smells like smoke, primer that too.

Russ B. · Answer

To be fair, ozone is an irritant and you probably don't want to be around it for a long time, but it's not like it's that toxic. It used to be really common to run ozone around the clock anyplace where people smoked.

Jingru Sui · Answer

Ozone works great!

Kai Kopsch · Answer

I did the same as Dennis bought an ozone generator on Amazon with a timer because its important to not enter the apartment / Room at least for the double amount of time you programmed it running. I personally let it run for 2 Houres per Room and enter the Apartment / House, not for the next 12 hours repeat twice and everything is gone. For hardcore, cases make sure everything is sealed inside the room you clean doors/Windows.

Daniel Schiller · Answer

@Anthony Mikolich units like these work well.  I use a smaller version in my TURO cars when renters choose to hot box the cars.

https://www.odorfreemachines.com/cigarette-odor-removal/

Dennis M. · Answer

An ozone generator works wonders on this , I git mine for 80$ on Amazon

Scott Mac · Answer

Hi Tony,

Perhaps advertise it as smoking/vaping allowed and charge, for instance, an extra $50 a month and see if you get any takers.

(Niche market marketing)

Good Luck!

Anthony Mikolich · Answer

Thank you John and Brad! Great advice.

Brad E. · Answer

There are smoke remediation companies that will do it but I think its rather expensive.  Might be worth looking into.  If its a decent deal I wouldn't let that stop me from buying it.  Too bad it already has fresh paint and floor.

Cigarettes! What Should I Do?

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