Tip to weed out the smokers that respond to ads that say non - smokers

[Sukhi]

Totally puzzeled trying to rent my house in Surrey my listing says no smoking but most calls are from smokers. When the non smokers comes to see the house I can smell a smoke odour - I ask again if they smoke - the common response "no we do not smoke inside, if we do its outside." Yikes!










Now when I get calls for the house I just ask the caller if they smoke inside or outside - if they say niether I go on to my next pre-qualifying questions.

 

[Sherilynn]

Greetings.



Unfortunately many people in the demographic for Edmonton up/down's smoke, so I have several tenants that are smokers. And out of the large number of smokers to whom I have ever rented, only 2 have smoked in the house. I am allergic and I can tell immediately, and I tell this to prospective tenants before they even see the property.



And because we rent using fixed term leases only (no month-to-month), it was very easy for me to get rid of those two tenants that violated the non-smoking policy.

 

[Sukhi]

Ok so I finaly get a nice couple to rent my property I did ask the husband do you smoke inside or outside the home he said no smoking. So I get the couple to come over to my place to sign the lease - as the husband gets up to leave a pack of smokes falls out of his jacket. I asked him you told me you were a non smoker his reponse "I only smoke while i am at work - non smoker at home" Ok now i heard it all!

 

[Sherilynn]

Maybe it's your demographic too. It may be difficult to avoid smokers.



As part of our Welcome package, I included a "Non-Smoking Policy" that clearly outlines my expectation that there will be no smoking within 20 feet of any open door or window. I also have it as a term in my lease that the tenant must initial. That way no one can claim they didn't know they weren't allowed to smoke in the house. (Helpful in court.)

 

[Sukhi]

Thanks Sherilynn, I like the Welcome package that includes the "Non - Smoking Policy". I will start to include with my leases, will also tell my property managers to include this documentation on all new leases they negotiate. Thanks Again!

Sukhi