If you’ve allowed for smoking at your rental property, there are measurements you should take as a Landlord/Property Manager to keep your property in top shape.
You may or may not allow smoking on your property to begin with. Tenants are protected under the state laws from discrimination, so you have to be careful not to break any of these anti-discriminatory laws. However, you also have the right to decline a rental application if it is to protect your property from potential damage. In your tenant agreement, you may also clearly define certain allocated smoking areas.
If you’ve allowed smoking on your property, there’s still the issue of dealing with the lingering smoke smell when it’s it time for your tenants to move out. Keeping your property in good condition is part of attracting the best possible tenants. Before they arrive for inspection or move in, there are a few easy ways to get rid of that smell.
Deodorise the air
Improve air circulation by opening up all the windows and doors. This will create a cross breeze that will suck the dirty air out. An air filter and dehumidifier can speed up the process. Some natural solutions include placing bowls of white vinegar in rooms or boiling lemon and orange peels.
Clean the ceiling and walls
All you need is to mix one part white vinegar and white water. Use this mixture to scrub down your walls and ceilings to remove both stains and smells.
Clean the carpet
Ashes may have fallen onto the carpet, which can be tricky to remove. But simple household items can help with that. Sprinkle baking soda in a thin, even layer and let this sit for several hours or overnight. Later, vacuum it up and you’ll have fresh carpets.
Clean hard floors
The same water and vinegar mixture you used on walls can also be used on laminate floors. However, avoid using vinegar on tiles as this can corrode grout. Use an ammonia drop mixture instead. On wood floors, mix a neutral-pH soap with warm water and mop the entire surface.
