Cigarette butts and multifamily property

[Jody Ho]

What can you do if cigarette butts are all over the place in the outside public area and parking space of your multifamily property? And you don't know who did that. The tenants are inherited from previous ownership, and don't think there is smoking free policy in place. Thank you

[Scott Mac]

Hi Jody,

Have maintenance sweep them up as their first job of the day everyday.

Put a commercial outdoor ashtray where most are found and tape a sign to every door encouraging ashtray use.

No maintenance, then PM or you will have to sweep them up, because if you just leave them there, it seems likely that it will encourage them to not use the ashtrays.

It might be kids, in which case--good luck.

You will also have to schedual regular ash tray cleanouts.

The I Dream of Jeanny bottle looking ones look pretty nice in most places.

Good Luck!