For most landlords, smoking inside the unit can be challenging to prove because of the nature of most signs of smoking. Smoking inside your home can pose serious health risks to everyone in the building. The good news is that you don’t have to pay someone else to monitor your place. Instead, check your unit regularly and take action whenever you notice signs of smoking.
How would you react if you found out that your tenant has been smoking inside your apartment? If you’re in Buffalo, NY., Ellicott Development is here to help you. We are a coordinated property management, leasing, and development company with an “In-House” capacity to offer authoritative accounting, legal, drafting and planning, renting, cleaning, and many other support services.
Have you ever had a problem with a tenant who smoked inside their apartment? Have you ever wanted to evict them because they smoked inside your apartment? We’ve compiled a list to tell whether or not someone is smoking inside your property.
How To Prove If Your Tenant Is Smoking Inside Your Unit?
Every property owner is in charge of their property. The last thing a property management company or owner needs to discover is the damage caused by smoking. Before leveling any accusations or bringing any legal action concerning smoking inside your unit, it’s essential to have concrete evidence proving that the tenant is smoking. Here are fundamental signs to watch out for:
Smoke
Smoking tenants may use diffusers, candles, incense, incense sticks, or open windows to eliminate the smell. Suppose you want to be sure that the haze you are seeing is caused by smoking. In that case, air-quality detection companies and technologies can demonstrate the presence of cigarette or marijuana smoke residue.
A home air quality test is possible, but it won’t be as reliable as an expert assessment. By using an Air Quality Detector, one may identify cigarette smoke. Smoke detectors and a brand-new “smoke sensor” are available in markets to alert you when someone is smoking on your property.
Cigarette or marijuana butts
Finding numerous cigarette butts or unfinished joints in one area outside is another red flag. Although some landlords allow smoking outside, some renters keep the butts and joint ends and throw them away to give the impression that they were merely smoking outside. It would help if you looked for items used as ashtrays when carrying out routine inspections.
Burn marks
No matter how careful one is, one will eventually drop a cigarette and leave a charred area. This might be a floor covering or a piece of furniture. You may not find this proof until after a resident has moved out because they may often conceal a small area with a carpet on the floor or a cushion on a seat.
Stains
While smoking and marijuana have an unpleasant smell, they can also leave stains. Stains can appear on various objects, including walls, shades, worktops, and lights. The pigments may change from yellow to brown, depending on how long this has been going on. Sometimes they require simple repairs, and other times a complete wall overhaul.
Smoke stains are easier to see on the ceiling and paint, whether or not the walls have recently been repainted. It can hint that a tenant is attempting to hide cigarette or cannabis smudges if you find that they have painted over the walls without your consent.
Can a Landlord Evict a Tenant for Smoking?
Yes. If the tenant signs a lease agreement that clarifies that smoking is prohibited inside the unit, the landlord has the right to evict them for smoking indoors. The first critical thing to note is there should be clear rules about smoking on the premises. Next, note that you must have solid evidence that the tenant is smoking indoors. You want to avoid falsely accusing one of your tenants at all costs.
Tips on How to Deal with Smoking inside your unit
You can undertake various actions to stop someone from smoking inside your unit.
- Placing signs at each unit’s doorways is one action you may take.
- Smoke detectors can also detect smoke from cigarettes and marijuana.
- Warn tenants that smoking inside will result in fines.
- Have a designated smoking area.
Let Ellicott Development Help You with Property Management
You don’t need to stress about tenants smoking in your unit. If you’re in Buffalo, NY, your rental space will be well-managed by a firm like Ellicott Development.
At Ellicott Development, we will meet all your property management needs with the help of our fully integrated team responsible for managing hotel spaces, office spaces, condominiums and townhomes, and residential apartments.
Contact us to schedule a consultation.
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