smokers in non smoking houses

[beacheart]

Has anyone had the problem of renters smoking in non smoking units or houses? I have had this problem and need advice about the best way to handle the situation. Housekeeping does not seem to notice in order to report it to the management co.

 

[Beach Runner]

So far, we haven't had that problem as far as I know (knock on wood). But we do find cigarette butts on the exterior porches and pool area. We try to check up on the house pretty often and have never noticed the smell of cigarettes.

The problem is the turnover is so fast and renters leave such horrible messes (I know this is a fact because sometimes we'll stop by after checkout to check for damage) that housekeeping is in too big a hurry to be detectives. They also don't have much time to check for damage or missing items. That's why it's good to ask your rental company to have the same crew cleaning your house each time because they'll be more familiar with your home and what's changed since the departing renter checked in.

 

[TooFarTampa]

Sorry this is happening.

Do you mean smoking inside the unit or outside on the porch?

If it were me and the housekeepers were missing the fact that your house suddenly smells like smoke, I would be all over the management company right away with LOUD complaints about said housekeepers. It is the end of the season so you can (and should) take your business to another company if they do not respond appropriately.

At the very least your house deserves a good deep clean on their dime, and a commitment from them to do better from now on.

 

[Lynnie]

Don't return deposit? Good luck with that.

I know this is infuriating: in high school, I was allowed to take the big car with my friends on a weekend road trip.

My mother: "When I saw you drive up with all the windows down, I knew Y'all had been smoking in my car. Go clean it!"

 

[Beach Runner]

Don't return deposit? Good luck with that.

I know this is infuriating: in high school, I was allowed to take the big car with my friends on a weekend road trip.

My mother: "When I saw you drive up with all the windows down, I knew Y'all had been smoking in my car. Go clean it!"

Our rental management company discontinued security deposits:

On May 15, 2008, Visa USA Inc., made the following changes to their general rules:
5.2.M.4 Delayed or Amended Charges
A Merchant may process delayed or amended charges if the Cardholder has consented to be liable for delayed or amended chages for a T&E Transaction. All delayed or amended charges must be processed to the Cardholder?s account within 90 calendar days of either:
- Check-out, disembarkation, or car return date or
-For a parking ticket or traffic violation, date of notification to the Merchant by the civil authority
5.2.M.4.a
These charges may include costs for room, food and beverage charges, taxes, mileage charges, fuel, insurance, rental fees, parking tickets and other traffic violations, and must not include charges for loss, theft, or damage.

Basically, this means that we can no longer use a client?s credit card as a form of security deposit or to cover loss/damage that may occur during their tenancy in your dwelling. We can however, still accept credit cards for payment of rent and advance deposits.

With this considered, we have two options.
Option 1- require guests to pay a security deposit at the time of booking that can be refunded if there are no damages upon the guests departure.
Option 2- require all guests to purchase Security Deposit Insurance, which makes coverage available to your guests in lieu of requiring a security deposit. Security Deposit Insurance will cover up to $1,500 if the property or its contents are damaged during their stay, subject to terms and conditions. This is an actual insurance policy offered by CSA Travel. The cost of this policy is $85 per reservation.

Given the state of the economy, it is unlikely that vacationers have $1,500 of discretionary income that they are willing to take out of circulation to use as a damage/security deposit offered by Option 1. With that in mind, we have decided that Option 2 is the most viable way to provide renters with the most pleasant rental experience and protect our homeowners investments.

 

[Lynnie]

Our rental management company discontinued security deposits:

That stinks, BR. If it happens to you, want me to sic my Mother on the violators? She'll whip them into shape in a skinny minute~~~~~~~~

 

[Beach Runner]

That stinks, BR. If it happens to you, want me to sic my Mother on the violators? She'll whip them into shape in a skinny minute~~~~~~~~

Thanks for the offer -- I might take you up on that some time. Fortunately the people in the house next door live there full time and watch out for us.

 

[Mango]

I self rent, no management company involved. I detail in my lease that smoking is allowed on decks, but request that that doors be closed behind them so the smoke does not waft through the house. I also provide numerous ashtrays and a sand bucket. This seems to keep the butts to a minimum on grounds. If the smell of smoke is detected, it is clear in my lease that it is grounds for keeping a portion of security deposit so it can be given to the next guest as recompense.

My housekeeper does not smoke, but I found that most housekeepers, due to inhaling cleaning chemicals, have lost their sense of smell when it comes to cigarette smoke; so, I think it is difficult to have housekeeping police this. However, your guests will detect it immediately.

The one time I did have a complaint about it my sheets smelled like cigarette smoke and this was because the housekeepers launderer smoked while in her car with the sheets bundled in a bag. That's how sensitive some people are to the smell.

 

[scooterbug44]

Smokers vs. non-smokers is the epic battle! Smokers really don't understand just how pervasive (and truly nasty) the smell of cigarettes is. My throat is scratchy, my voice gets hoarse, my nose runs, my eyes hurt, my hair smells, my clothes stink, I cough, you name it!

As a militant non-smoker, when you say NON-SMOKING I expect that to mean noone has EVER smoked inside the home/unit I just rented.

Apparently to smokers that means noone smoked in the home/unit in the last 15 minutes.

Smoking with the door open, chain-smokers sleeping in the unit, smoking w/ the window open, smoking in the car, a full ashtray in the room - that icky stank is pervasive!!!! :angry:

P.S. I don't think your cleaners lost their sense of smell due to cleaning products - more prolonged exposure to nicotine products.

 

[Douglas the Intrepid]

Smokers vs. non-smokers is the epic battle! Smokers really don't understand just how pervasive (and truly nasty) the smell of cigarettes is. My throat is scratchy, my voice gets hoarse, my nose runs, my eyes hurt, my hair smells, my clothes stink, I cough, you name it!

As a militant non-smoker, when you say NON-SMOKING I expect that to mean noone has EVER smoked inside the home/unit I just rented.

Apparently to smokers that means noone smoked in the home/unit in the last 15 minutes.

Smoking with the door open, chain-smokers sleeping in the unit, smoking w/ the window open, smoking in the car, a full ashtray in the room - that icky stank is pervasive!!!! :angry:

P.S. I don't think your cleaners lost their sense of smell due to cleaning products - more prolonged exposure to nicotine products.

I agree scooterbug, you have to be a non-smoker to truly appreciate just how stinky smokers and their homes and vehicles can be. The cleaners are probably smokers and thus didn't notice anything amiss. Don't even get me into how nasty kissing a smoker can be as well! ick!