Smokers?

[Abou C.]

Haven't acquired a property yet, but in the process of learning and earning but before 2015 closes will for SURE. But as a none smoker and none drug user, how have you dealt with renters who are smokers?.  Are smokers a protected class?, and i understand there are pro and cons to everything in life. But would it be wrong or financially stupid to not rent to smokers?.

1. Allowing smokers, but you can't smoke in the property or outside of it?, am I going to far and will this turn someone who smokes but the right tenant off?.

2.  How have you dealt with smokers or the use of drugs in your properties, and what legal measures via contracts prior to renting have you put in place. 

3. I understand weed smoking and growing is what most people are doing, and I personally  don't care what someone does to themselves as long it does no affect me or on my property. What has your experience has been with drugs or smokers and how you solved this wold be problem. Unfortunately people find grey areas to explore or holes you missed and use it against you!. 

Again stupid question, but wondering because someones smoking in one unit at night can start a fire or plus smoking usually get into carpets and etc!. 

[Beth L.]

@Abou C. 

 Smoking is NOT a protected class, so yes, you definitely can decide rent to non-smokers only if you want to. I make my properties 100% smoke-free meaning that they cannot smoke inside OR out. They would have to go out to the street to smoke.

While this may disqualify some potential tenants, those that I have shown the units to say that it is really a big plus to them since they don't smoke and don't like to smell it from the neighbors.

In my experience, even if you tell them not to smoke inside, the smell always comes in on their clothes, or they smoke inside anyway. It is really difficult to get that smell out and you will always have cigarette butts all over the ground. Plus, if they smoke, their friends and family probably smoke, and that just adds to the issue.