420 Smokers Applying for Rental

[Caleb Sonneman]

Hey fam! I appreciate your insights and feedback:

I have a single-family home I need to rent out long-term. I'm not getting a lot of traction with leads, and am bleeding money each month. I just had someone on FB marketplace reach out with interest. However, the profile thoroughly communicates they smoke a lot of weed. On my initial listing ad, I had nowhere mentioned it was a non-smoking residence. I have nothing against smokers personally, but do not want that smell to be imprinted on my property, long after they are gone. 

I am open to different perspectives too, if someone has had a positive experience with smokers, I am all ears!

[Alyssa Wright]

If everything else looks really good and they seem like good renters all around besides the smoking, you could add an addendum into the lease stating that they must smoke outside of the property and that they would be responsible for any damage (discoloration, smells) left over as a result of the smoking. That way you are still protecting your property, and if they don't follow through with that clause, they would be violating their lease. 

Additionally, you could also consider charging a higher security deposit in the case that you have to do any extensive cleaning of the property following their move-out. 

[Caleb Sonneman]

Quote from @Alyssa Wright:

If everything else looks really good and they seem like good renters all around besides the smoking, you could add an addendum into the lease stating that they must smoke outside of the property and that they would be responsible for any damage (discoloration, smells) left over as a result of the smoking. That way you are still protecting your property, and if they don't follow through with that clause, they would be violating their lease. 

Additionally, you could also consider charging a higher security deposit in the case that you have to do any extensive cleaning of the property following their move-out. 

 Thank you!

[Mike Dymski]

Big picture - buy properties in medium to high demand locations where you don't have to stress over vacancy or this type of question.  Good luck with the placement. 

[Alecia Loveless]

@Caleb Sonneman I now let my prospective tenants that I’m not the weed police and I don’t care what they smoke but it MUST BE OUTSIDE.

I’ve got this in my lease and we follow up with our regular inspections.

I don’t just blurt this out, I wait until we’ve developed some rapport and then work it into the conversation. Weed is still not legal in my state.

[Greg M.]

Quote from @Caleb Sonneman:

I am open to different perspectives too, if someone has had a positive experience with smokers, I am all ears!

Positive experience with smokers? Sure. The second hand marijuana smoke helps calm my unicorn's nerves. 

[Austin F.]

My college kids smoke a lot of pot inside (I believe). Probably not enough to be considered some type of smokers den although I'm not sure, I generally leave them alone. But they are for sure doing bong hits in the living room.

Anyways, I have found that weed smell comes out WAY easier than cigarettes. Usually a day with the windows open and its hard to smell it anymore. A good clean and a few hours of ozone and its totally gone.

Would I rent to someone who was super stoked on 420? No probably not they're usually pretty weird, but my calculus is different I don't have a unit sitting empty. May be worth a meeting and a conversation to sound them out.

Edit for a fun story:
I worked with this guy who was super stoked on 420, had "legalize it" stickers all over his car, wore Bob Marley shirts, stopped work every day at 4:20 to take a hit, etc. Couldn't figure out why the cops kept pulling him over for doing 1mph over the speed limit, happened all the time. One day he got arrested after they found a baggy of what he called "gummy bear sugar" and the cops called "meth". Never heard how that one ended, but had to drive over and get his car off the side of the road, then go bail him out of jail. Fun times.

[Nathan Gesner]

I rent to a lot of smokers, tobacco or otherwise. The rule is the same: no smoking/vaping of any substance inside the rental, garage, or any outbuilding. If it's an apartment, they have to smoke at least 15 feet away from all windows and doors.

I inspect regularly. If they are caught violating the rules, they are fined. Repeated offense is grounds for termination.

[Melanie P.]

If smoking isn't a requirement, it isn't a requirement. Reviewing someone's social media and then changing your requirements is a Fair Housing trap.