Would you rent to a smoker?

[Heidi Kenefick]

I have a house that I rent out by the room. Right now only one room is rented long term, and one rented on a 3 month lease to a travel nurses. I have interest from people to rent out the other rooms long term.

Someone just applied that wants to rent for 6months to a year. Obviously it is better to have longer term tenants for stability. He did indicate that he smokes but won’t smoke in the house or at the property. This is a furnished rental- so I’m worried he might smell up the furniture or bed.

Would you all rent to a smoker? How likely is this fact going to cause problems with the other roommates?

I’m new to self management and new to by the room rentals. Thanks for the advice.

[Heidi Kenefick]

@John Morgan

Thanks for the advice. I was 1/2 and 1/2 about accepting him or not, but he was up front about it and agreed to smoke outside and not on the property at all. The benefit of accepting him is that he wants a longer lease and the majority of the leads I have had have been dead ends or for only 3 months. I’m still learning so we shall see how this goes.