How do you deal with Guests smoking inside the House when there is non-smoking policy

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How do you deal with Guests smoking inside the House when there is non-smoking policy

Sri S.Business Member
Dublin, CA 路 Member since 2024 路 43 posts 路 21 votes

Our short term rentals have non-smoking policy. However some guests are smoking inside the house. When we discuss with guests or Airbnb or VRBO , there is no photo to prove as it is smell. It is only the strong smell and we can tell it is smoking or Weed. Also many times it is just our cleaners cleaning the house and they may not pay attention to these smells. How do you deal with these ?

Is there any device do you use to detect automatically

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JD MartinBusiness Member
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Rock Star Extraordinaire 路 Northeast, TN 路 Member since 2015 路 10k+ posts 路 16k+ votes
1w

We generally do like the dark ages and leave the skulls on pikes in front of the house as a warning to the next guests 馃槄

Seriously, it's pretty much as @John Underwood said; beyond trying to pursue a claim against them, which you would have to prove, not a whole lot that can be done after the fact. Try to screen your bookings harder on the front end and put policies in place that will discourage those types of guests.

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor 路 Greer, SC 路 Member since 2014 路 13k+ posts 路 17k+ votes
    1w

    Not much you can do about it.

    I've personally never had that problem.

    0Reply
    • Sri S.Business Member
      OP
      Dublin, CA 路 Member since 2024 路 43 posts 路 21 votes
      1w

      We added enough warnings and house rules . We see that still happening now & then. These smells are sometimes hard to get rid of . That lingering smell gives unpleasant experience to next guests.

      Revenli
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    • Shaharyaar Erea
      Rental Property Investor 路 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 路 Member since 2026 路 21 posts 路 0 votes
      1w

      Seriously

      0Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire 路 Northeast, TN 路 Member since 2015 路 10k+ posts 路 16k+ votes
    1w

    We generally do like the dark ages and leave the skulls on pikes in front of the house as a warning to the next guests 馃槄

    Seriously, it's pretty much as @John Underwood said; beyond trying to pursue a claim against them, which you would have to prove, not a whole lot that can be done after the fact. Try to screen your bookings harder on the front end and put policies in place that will discourage those types of guests.

    Podcast Guest on Show #243
    Skyline Properties
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    2Reply
  • Bill B.
    Investor 路 Las Vegas, NV 路 Member since 2013 路 8k+ posts 路 10k+ votes
    1w

    I was too lazy to google it. But鈥here has to be some kind of device similar to a smoke detector that can either sound an alarm and/or send you a digital message when smoke/weed is detected.

    If there鈥檚 not. That might be a $1M idea I give to you with only a 1 time $10k royalty.

    1Reply
    • Sri S.Business Member
      OP
      Dublin, CA 路 Member since 2024 路 43 posts 路 21 votes
      1w

      Hi Bill, I googled up, it showed some device. But I never heard of that device before. That is why asking here to get some experts opinion on how to deal with it.

      Revenli
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  • Jules Aton
    MD/DC 路 Member since 2024 路 1k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    1w

    Thankfully I鈥檝e never had that experience either and believe my housekeepers would alert me. My rules include no smoking inside or outside the property which I hope is a deterrent to smokers who can actually have a fair amount of odor just on their clothes, hair etc.

    1Reply
  • Shiloh LundahlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor 路 Gilbert, AZ 路 Member since 2016 路 3k+ posts 路 4k+ votes
    1w

    Here is something I haven't done. But I heard about it once and so I'm passing it along and it may be worth considering.

    Airbnb wants evidence correct? When people smoke it leaves a smell that you can't see. Which evidence does Airbnb want? They want to see ashes or empty cigarette boxes or cigarettes butts correct?

    What if you were to have your cleaners keep what we will call the "evidence bag" for smoking which would include those items and any time they smell smoke they use the "evidence bag." which may include an empty cigarette box in the trash and some ashes on the floor and a butt next to the garbage can and a couple outside in the dirt. Tell your cleaners never to tell you if they ever use the "evidence bag." But to just to take pictures and send the picture to you a which you can then forward the pictures to Airbnb and tell Airbnb that you got the pictures from your cleaners which you did.

    Some may consider this planting evidence. Some may consider what the guests have done as hiding evidence. Some may believe what the cleaners are doing is restoring evidence. All of which would be illegal and wrong if this were an actual crime. But I do not beleave this is a crime, I believe this is a infraction to the home policies that according to Airbnb must have evidence correct?

    Again, I've never done this. But when I heard about it, I thought, "hmmm that's interesting."

    480-206-1209Podcast Guest on Show #287
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  • Ken Boone
    Investor 路 Greenville, SC 路 Member since 2015 路 1k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    1w

    So there are like 3 different companies that sell devices that detect smoke - some of them can specifically detect weed. They produce graphs that show the detection levels. My biggest pain is when a guest smokes weed in the house. It happens probably 10 times a year in my Smokies properties. Most of the time, my cleaners can get the smell out but it is infuriating. The last thing you want is a family with small kids checking in and walking into what smells like a pot fest.

    I have researched these products but have not pulled the trigger. There are a couple of issues - it really only works per room, so now if they are smoking downstairs instead of upstairs - how many do you really need - and that affects the cost issue.

    My question is - IF you have this product and you can produce a graph showing THC or smoking was detected, AND you have a policy that says you fine the guest X amount if this happens - will the platforms back this up? Do they accept this graph from these devices as proof. If not, then it is pointless and you just have to hope that a fine for smoking (although not enforceable) in your rental agreement is enough of a deterrent.

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    • James Lester
      Real Estate Agent 路 Columbus GA 路 Member since 2019 路 4 posts 路 3 votes
      1w

      As I was recently looking for smoke detectors to update my cabin (not AirBnB) I found WIFI smoke detectors at Home Depot. They cost slightly more than regular detectors. Maybe could replace other bedroom and hall detectors with these? They will alert you by the APP if the detector goes off. Initially there is free 30 day monitoring but this expires after 30 days then has a monthly fee. Consider a check list of some kind distributed to guest after they submit payment to inform then that there is a no smoking rule and a charge of $____ if they smoke inside. I see no reason to punish them if the smoke outside? At least this way you have an alert on the smoke detector if it picks up smoke inside? Also suggest maybe signs at entries saying No Smoking inside. Hope this helps

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  • Matthew Tregoning
    Property Manager 路 Melbourne, FL 路 Member since 2019 路 263 posts 路 125 votes
    1w

    I'd have the cleaner check for odor as soon as they open the door, before any sprays or cleaning products. Report it right then, with photos of anything actually found and the extra cleaning needed. The next guest walking into it is the bigger headache. Is someone checking the place again before check-in?

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  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA 路 Member since 2016 路 8k+ posts 路 7k+ votes
    1w

    So we have had this happen twice in the last 9 years. One was people smoking on the deck, not inside. They put all the butts in a can and left it on the deck. I did nothing with that.

    The second time was in the house. I charge the guest $250 for deodorizing.

    Now I can do this because we have a $500 deposit that is required from all guests. We do this because I believe that guests need some skin in the game. They were angry but there was nothing they could do. Plus they knew they screwed up.

    2Reply
  • Dan H.Pro Member
    Investor 路 Poway, CA 路 Member since 2015 路 7k+ posts 路 8k+ votes
    1w

    Minut can detect smoke. I use Minut for noise monitoring only.

    We have collected for smoking. It was an easy proof as they left their paraphernalia by accident (not planted). In this case it was a good collection as we charge $300 for smoking n the property and in this case it seems it was only outside so less than 1 hour clean up. The noise monitor also triggered repeatedly in spite of the co-host trying to contact them about the noise. We also collected a couple hundred for the condition they left the spa which was near actual cost. We needed a filter clean and water recycle due to crud in the spa. One pillow was somehow destroyed (they are meant to detach yet somehow they tore the pillow). I suspect they were quite high to leave their items and may not even remember the evening. They simply paid when presented the photo evidence of both items.

    1Reply
  • Divin KanyamaBusiness Member
    Accountant 路 Seattle, WA 路 Member since 2025 路 342 posts 路 127 votes
    1w

    @Sri S. This is a difficult issue because odor is real but hard to document after the guest leaves. I would start by adding a simple smoke-and-odor check to the cleaner鈥檚 turnover checklist and asking the cleaner to report it immediately, note the rooms affected, and photograph any supporting evidence such as ash, cigarette butts, burn marks, or smoke-related cleaning materials. Keep the non-smoking rule and any applicable fee clearly stated in the listing, house rules, and check-in message so guests receive it more than once.

    There are indoor air-quality and noise-monitoring devices designed for short-term rentals that can detect patterns associated with cigarette or marijuana smoke without recording conversations or taking pictures. They can provide time-stamped alerts and reports, but I would first confirm that the device complies with Airbnb or VRBO rules, local privacy laws, and the manufacturer鈥檚 placement instructions. Disclose it clearly in the listing and never place it in a bedroom or bathroom.

    If an alert occurs, contact the guest through the platform rather than confronting them, remind them of the policy, and preserve the device report and message history. No detector is perfect, so combining alerts with a consistent cleaner inspection and written documentation will usually give you a stronger process than relying on smell alone.

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  • Michael TempelBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker 路 MN 路 Member since 2026 路 7 posts 路 0 votes
    1w

    I used to manage 1450 units and this came up all the time in many different forms.

    The best way to explain how to handle it is of course make sure your lease states that "residents are responsible for their guest" in one form or another. Is usually standard language.

    Keep in mind this goes from anything to domestic issues (don't personally get involved, visiting pets, smoking, drugs.....really anything that is a lease violation.

    A lot of residents don't like to be accountable and will make that statement, so just have that language ready...I used to even highlight it on the lease while going through it before everything went to PDF digital online :-).

    I would adopt a non-smoking policy and place signs and some states, cities will provide this for free with specific language for your area.

    I would also have exact and legal fees for infractions that are detailed on lease as well. If you don't have a way to change the behavior, it will continue if there is only a verbal warning each time.

    I would say issues like this, especially when you have a lot of units is about 10% of the issues that come up, so once you or your leasing staff is trained on how to answer, it become almost as easy as saying hello :-).

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  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL 路 Member since 2022 路 3k+ posts 路 3k+ votes
    1w

    We put in the listing and the guest agreement that smoking in the home incurs a $500 fee. We take photos if there are any of ashes, butts, etc. Even if not, we do have our cleaners run a treatment and bill us for it and that is usually enough to get Airbnb to pay out.

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  • Christina B.
    Boulder, CO 路 Member since 2023 路 174 posts 路 96 votes
    1w

    I use Minut and it alerts me the moment it detects indoor smoking. When that happens, I typically reach out to the guest, reminding them of the no-smoking policy and fines. I've heard interesting stories ("it was grill smoke", etc.)- however, it has always stopped quickly. I don't bother with a 2nd reach-out. I just produce the Minut reports and fine. FWIW, there have been a less than a handful of cases in the last 3 years and there are gentle reminders of House Rules upon confirmation of booking, in online guidebook, and inside the house (along with the repercussions).

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  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager 路 Gatlinburg, TN 路 Member since 2020 路 3k+ posts 路 4k+ votes
    1w

    We've called the sheriff's office to have them removed more than once. We take it serious. These are real peoples' homes we are managing.

    [email protected]806-672-7102
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  • Michael Koeplin
    Saint Paul, MN 路 Member since 2015 路 51 posts 路 33 votes
    1w

    There鈥檚 an insurance angle to this too that I think is worth considering.

    Smoke damage can get expensive pretty quickly if it gets into furniture, carpet, mattresses, or HVAC. The difficult part is often documenting what actually happened and when.

    I like the idea mentioned above of adding this to the turnover checklist and using a monitoring device if it works reliably. Even apart from trying to collect a smoking fee, having a time-stamped alert, cleaner report, photos, and remediation invoice creates a much better record if the damage ever becomes significant enough to involve insurance.

    Seems like another example where good operational documentation can become pretty important after a loss.

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  • Mickey Askello
    Member since 2026 路 1 post 路 0 votes
    1w

    Good enforcement advice here already (deposits, monitors, a cleaner checklist, reminders at booking and check-in). Since you said the warnings and house rules are already in place and it still happens, one thing that gets less attention is how the rule itself is worded.

    "No smoking" is easy to skim past, and some guests who smoke do not think of the balcony, an open window, a vape or weed as covered by it. The rule works better when it closes those gaps and gives the reason, one plain sentence each. For example:

    No smoking or vaping of any kind indoors, cannabis included, and not on the balcony with the door open. It comes straight back in, and the next guest can smell it for days. There is an ashtray by the gate if you need one.

    That version names the loopholes, the reason is about the next guest rather than a threat, and offering a spot outside removes the excuse. Then state the fee right after it, in the same plain style: "If we find smoke in the house, the $X cleaning fee applies, because the soft furnishings have to be professionally treated." A fee the guest read, with the reason right next to it, is much easier to charge and to back up in a dispute than one buried in the listing.

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  • Tyler Divin
    Property Manager 路 Chattanooga, TN 路 Member since 2018 路 178 posts 路 134 votes
    1d

    I'd look into Minut devices. They have a new line of smoke/co2 alarms. If this was a repeat issue I'd probably replace the regular smoke alarms throughout the house with something like this then you would get alerted and contact the guest. I'd put the consequences in your waiver or guest agreement and/or hold a security deposit so you actually have a way to charge them.

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