Knowing if your tenants are smoking inside the property is important. There may be some implications if your tenants breach the terms of their tenancy agreement. In this post, we will explore some common signs that tenants may be smoking inside the property and strategies for addressing this issue.
A landlord can add special conditions to the tenancy agreement related to things that may cause extra wear and tear and damage to the property—for example, placing restrictions on smoking inside the house. Tenants may face real consequences if they breach such a tenancy agreement term. Rent Square will ask you if this is a requirement when we sign you up as one of our valued owners.
How we can detect smoking in the property
It is important to know the common signs that tenants may be smoking inside the property. Doing regular inspections on your property will help us detect this. Some of the telltale signs that smoking is occurring in the rental unit may include the following:
Strong tobacco odours Noticing a strong, persistent tobacco smell in the property, this could be a sign that tenants are smoking inside.
Yellowed walls or ceilings Smoking can cause yellowing or discolouration on walls and ceilings, particularly in areas where smoking is frequent.
Cigarette burns Noticing small burn marks on furniture or other surfaces, this could signify that cigarettes are being smoked inside the property.
Stained carpets or curtains Smoking can cause stains on carpets and curtains, particularly if cigarettes are not properly extinguished.
Complaints from neighbours Receiving complaints from neighbours about tobacco odours, this could be a sign that tenants or their friends are smoking inside.
Strategies for addressing smoking in the property
If we suspect that your tenants are smoking inside the property, there are several strategies we can consider for addressing the issue:
The tenancy agreement When signing the agreement, we would have included a condition prohibiting smoking inside the property or limiting smoking to certain areas. This helps to provide a basis for enforcing any smoking restrictions.
Pay attention during property inspections Inspecting the property regularly for signs of smoking, such as tobacco odours or cigarette burns. If we find evidence of smoking, we can use this as an opportunity to discuss the issue with your tenants.
14 Day-notice to remedy When a breach happens, we can send the tenants a 14-day notice to remedy. The notice describes what they have done to breach the agreement's terms, what they need to do to fix it, and how long they have to fix it.
If you're using Rent Square to manage your tenancy, all of the remedies mentioned above will be done by us. You don't have to worry about it.
If we send a 14-day notice to remedy and the tenants don't stop smoking inside, we can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to sort the matter out on your behalf. You can seek to end the tenancy as part of your Tribunal application.
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