Can a landlord have a tenant who smokes?

Landlords are acutely aware of the bad smells and damage caused to an interior by a regular smoking habit. But on the other side there are still a lot of smokers out there, and a tolerant attitude to smoking will open a landlord up to the maximum number of prospective tenants.

How do you prove a tenant is smoking?

Third, EMSL Laboratories (http://www.emsl.com/) sells a test kit for testing for nicotine residue. The processing fees are $95 per test. Horizontal surfaces are better than vertical surfaces. Also cleaning products can contaminate the test, so if it looks like the tenant has tried to destroy the evidence, chose out of the way places.

How are landlords affected by national smoke free legislation?

Landlords who have properties which have common parts, are affected by the National Smoke Free Legislation . Landlords are required in these properties to have the correct notices and signs displayed so that all of the tenants are made aware of their responsibilities.

How can I stop tenants from smoking in my apartment?

The nicotine smell penetrates the fabric of the building and no matter how much you wash woodwork, walls, cabinet doors etc, it still seeps through. The smell will always gradually come back through the cleaning products. The best way to illuminate the smell properly is to sand down woodwork and walls, then prime and repaint.

Can a landlord prohibit you from smoking in your apartment?

Even when there’s no applicable anti-smoking law, landlords can limit or prohibit smoking anywhere on the rental premises, including individual units. Health concerns about secondhand smoke aside, landlords often prohibit smoking in an effort to limit fire hazards on the property, reduce fire insurance premiums, and avoid stains and odors.

How to prove a tenant is smoking inside your property?

Smoking indoors is not only dangerous, but it can damage the property. We wanted to share with you different ways you can prove a tenant is smoking indoors and what you as a landlord or property owner can do about it.

Is the landlord responsible for a working smoke detector?

Many states and cities require that rental units include functioning smoke detectors. Typically, the landlord is responsible for testing the smoke detector at the start of the tenancy (in the tenant’s presence), and demonstrating that they are in good working order.

How is secondhand smoke a problem in apartments?

According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke can be a serious problem in multi-unit housing. Smoke can migrate from other units and common areas and travel through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, plumbing, and ventilation systems, thus exposing non-smoking tenants to the harms of secondhand smoke.