Should You Allow Smoking

Smoking – it’s gross - but there’s no law against it. Everyone can make their own cigarette decision, but as a landlord you have to decide whether or not to allow it in you building. About 17% of adults smoke, so you are broadening your applicant pool by allowing it. However, there are a number of downsides that most likely negate the benefits.

I’ll say right off the bat that I don’t see any reason to allow smoking indoors. This is 2019, most smokers have learned to go outside when they want a puff. I can’t remember that last time I was in a home where the person smoked inside. Maybe in the Midwest things are different, but here in Los Angeles everyone seems to be on the same page with where to smoke. Indoor smoking causes problems with both the smell and a buildup of yellow residue on the walls. Why would you want to deal with that?

Next you have to decide if you want to allow smoking on the property at all. Can the tenant smoke on their balcony, for example. The main reasons against is if they are ashing on the property or disposing of the buds on the ground. Also, other tenants may be bothered by the scent wafting in their direction. This is often something that landlords allow at first, then over time decide against it.

You could choose to have a designated smoking area, obviously outdoors and ideally away from other units. There’s no real downside to this unless there is not enough room on the property to allow for such a space. However, if the smokers don’t respect the space enough to keep it clean, that’s a great reason to revoke the privilege.

Every day I see people standing on the street smoking a cigarette. They don’t seem angry at the inconvenience. It’s just a part of life. You can’t smoke at work or while shopping. I understand that home is different, but renters are still in a borrowed space.

Whatever you decide, write it in the contract. If you catch the tenant smoking on their balcony or too close to the building, simply remind them of the rule. If they are smoking inside, however, that can definitely be cause to keep the security deposit…or to charge an additional cleaning fee.