Would you rent a non smoking unit to someone who smoke outside?

[Terry Last]

We're house hacking a duplex and have friends who would be solid tenets for our other unit except one of them smokes. We were asked if it was okay if he smoked on the corner and not on the property. I don't think I'm okay with that and not sure if I'm overreacting.

I'm concerned about smells sticking to clothes and getting into the flooring or paint. Plus it stinks and I'm finally not living in an apartment where I have to worry about drifting smoke aggravating my asthma. AND we told them it was okay to keep their cat, even though we were only allowing dogs (cat allergies), so I feel like this is pushing it.

If we take chances with a stranger, there is no guarantee that they won't just smoke away from the unit and we won't know if they'll take care of the unit as well as our friends.

I say no; husband doesn't care, but will back up whatever I decide. What would you do?

[James Wise]

Originally posted by @Terry Last:

We're house hacking a duplex and have friends who would be solid tenets for our other unit except one of them smokes. We were asked if it was okay if he smoked on the corner and not on the property. I don't think I'm okay with that and not sure if I'm overreacting.

I'm concerned about smells sticking to clothes and getting into the flooring or paint. Plus it stinks and I'm finally not living in an apartment where I have to worry about drifting smoke aggravating my asthma. AND we told them it was okay to keep their cat, even though we were only allowing dogs (cat allergies), so I feel like this is pushing it.

If we take chances with a stranger, there is no guarantee that they won't just smoke away from the unit and we won't know if they'll take care of the unit as well as our friends.

I say no; husband doesn't care, but will back up whatever I decide. What would you do?

 You are actually focusing on the wrong issue here. Smoking isn't what matters. What matters is that these people are your friends. Do not rent to friends or family. You will regret it down the road. In the grand scheme of things nobody really likes their boss or their landlord. Renting to your friends will just put you in a compromising position where you are forced to make inappropriate business decisions based on emotion rather than the most financially responsible way to run your business. 

Worst part is that in any given situation even though you end up making a financially irresponsible business decision to avoid problems with your friends you as the landlord will still look like the bad guy, every single time. Do not do it. Keep your rental business very separate from your personal relationships.