KGC Properties, LLC, has a no smoking policy for all our rental homes.  Tenants sign a No Smoking Addendum and are made aware that the policy extends to anyone visiting the home.   All our tenants know that this is a security deposit deduction if the rental home has been smoked in!

But, sometimes, a tenant will have a party and someone “lights up”; or someone comes to visit that isn’t aware of the no smoking policy.  And the thing about cigarette smoke is – it gets into everything and it stays! 

So what can you do to help get rid of it?  Some tips that might help (for the occasional “accident” or neglect – I am not sure these tips would help for regular smoking inside a home!):

Clean surfaces not made of fabric with vinegar.  Not sure why vinegar gets rid of the smell – but it will.  And vinegar smell goes away – unlike cigarette smell.

Shampoo the carpets and then when it’s dry – sprinkle baking soda all around, let it set for 24 hours then vacuum.  This works well on furniture too.  (As a side note, baking soda works well to absorb pet smell in carpets – from what my neighbor who has 5 dogs tells me!)

Wipe down window shades with a mix of ammonia and water.  For curtains – they’ll have to be washed – or hung outside for a couple days to air out.

Active powered charcoal set inside containers and placed around the home tends to absorb smoke smell.  It takes a few days – but tends to work well.

If all else fails, call professional cleaners.

 

Buying or selling Tucson real estate, Mt Lemmon, Tucson bank-owned homes, Tucson rental homes, or Tucson lease option homes? Visit www.KGCPropertiesLLC.com!

                                     

 

This blog is written with my opinions and my opinions are presented with accuracy but not guarantees. Please talk to a professional before making any real estate, financial or agency decisions.    Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind - 2011. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission:TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com.

 
Posted by Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind, Broker/Owner on 08/17/2012 05:26 AM   Comments (11)   in the ActiveRain Channel  
Originally posted at: KGC Properties LLC ~ Property Management & Real Estate In Tucson!: Tenants Smoked In The Home? Now What?!
Short URL: http://actvra.in/GsH

11 Comments on Tenants Smoked In The Home? Now What?!

AUG
17
1,066,998 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

  Good suggestions...we use charcoal all the time for homes that have been closed up...cooking smells...it is a wonderful ingredient to cleaner smelling air !
5:29am • #1
170,208 Points 3 Featured Posts

What a nightmare! But thanks for the tips. I can't believe in this day and age with so anti-smoking talk all over the place, people will still smoke when visiting, but they do. 

I sold a house recently, and the day after closing went to get my sign and lockbox, and the front door of the house already reeked of smoke. of course, it's the buyer's home now, her right to smoke in it, but I thought of the next time it sells and how hard it will be to get rid of the smell of smoke.

Sarah in Nashville 

 
5:31am • #2
1,519,940 Points 275 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good morning, Gab..... I'd give them all "the boot"..... I detest smoking, inside or outside.... I missed a call yesterday.... wasn't sure if it was ok to call back.... was very happy with your email.... :)
5:50am • #3
761,437 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I have a new listing that we are dealing with this. Will have them try the charcoal trick.
5:52am • #4
1,022,684 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

There are actually portable charcoal air filtration systems that you can place in vacant units for a few days to REMOVE the smoke smell from the unit.  Nicotine can be removed from hard surfaces with TSP soluation and I have actually had to use TSP on walls, then KILZ and then repaint....
5:56am • #5
104,590 Points

We have also had good success with running our commercial ozone machine.  We run it off and on over a couple of days, in addition to many of the suggestions above.

Bottom line - we have a provision in ALL of our leases (both residential and commercial) that forbids smoking on the premises (not just indoors); with a fairly high fine defined for violation.
6:06am • #6
1,420,566 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I can understand based on what we know already that anyone smokes inside a home. . here where I live, there is no place that allows inside smokers unless they are at a cigar shop. .even in nightclubs and bars. .. no smoking!
8:07am • #7
941,460 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I have had to treat the walls. Then, we repaint the walls to make everything smell fresh. Ah
10:08am • #8
AUG
18
668,926 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Morning Gabrielle vinegar and old newspapers are the best for cleaning windows. Nice and great tips as always.  Just asking but it that scenario happens is it the responsibility of the tenant to clean it?
2:27am • #9

Thanks Gabrielle.
7:01am • #10
AUG
23
904,882 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Gabrielle, those are great tips. I'll be hanging onto them because sometimes buyers also ask how to get rid of the smoke smell in a house that they are considering for purchase. Thanks!
1:23pm • #11


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Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind, Broker/Owner

Tucson, AZ

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KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate

Address: PO Box 18621, Tucson, AZ, 85731

Office Phone: (520) 245-0242

Cell Phone: (520) 245-0242

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