Read Landlord Stories

We've asked landlords and owners to share their stories about why they have gone smoke-free or are planning to go smoke-free. Continue reading below to learn about their experience.

From: Richard, Richland, WA

The most important thing about going smoke-free is to do it from the start. It will be easier to stay smoke-free that way. It makes living in the facility so much nicer, and it makes turning units over so much easier.

From: Dini, Federal Way, WA

Since going smoke-free, when you walk into our senior housing building, it smells nice and fresh. The seniors enjoy not having to smell secondhand smoke. It's easier to turn around apartments, and in general it improves the overall health of people

From: Vicky, Centralia, WA

We just opened our permanent supportive housing project, and we wanted to have a non smoking environment. We were told it would be difficult to enforce. We established a smoking area far from the doors and windows, and we have 100% willing compliance from all residents. There is virtually no push back from them at all. All it took was a seating area with cover from bad weather and ashtrays. They even clean up the area on their own. It has worked wonderfully.

From: Kelsey, Bellevue, WA

We are proud to be a non smoking property.

From: Joe, Seattle, WA

My residents pay more for the ability to have smoke-free housing. Enforcement is pretty easy. They know it before they rent at my property, and so they abide by it.

From: Maureen, Mukilteo, WA

It's helped with the cost of our unit turns and our marketing has become easier. Most of tenant response has been positive.

From: Barbara, Seattle, WA

We've been smoke-free...we don't allow smoking anywhere on the grounds. We had seen how much damage smoking had done to our apartments. We've been smoke-free for about 10 years, we were one of the original to go smoke-free. It's really a benefit for our residents because the people we now attract are the people that don't smoke, and they don't want to smell other peoples' smoke. We do have people who smoke that go off the property to smoke - they will rent our properties and go off the property to smoke.

From: Christine, Seattle, WA

Decided to implement a non-smoking policy to create a healthier living environment and also as a marketing tool. I've had positive results as I find most people prefer a non-smoking environment.

From: John, Seattle, WA

Being smoke-free was never a question for me. I personally and professionally believe that smoking damages the apartments I operate and the health of my tenants. And besides - I don't want to repair an apartment unit that smells like smoke.

From: Phyllis, Everett, WA

Our building went non-smoking 12/08 but we grandfathered-in the current smokers. However, the smoke has continued to be a problem. We joined the Webinar to find out what to do. We decided to give them all 30 day notices that they will no longer be able to smoke anywhere in the building after the end of their current lease. This means that we will not be totally smoke-free for another 11 months. However, this is what our attorney advised. We just turned an apartment from a chain smoker. Her apartment looked like it had been painted yellow with yellow appliances! We had to wash the wall and ceiling with TCP (and rinse - what a job!), paint with Kilz, then about 3 coats of paint!! Seemed to take forever. If we hadn't already decided to go smoke-free, this would have convinced us.
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From: Lori, Seattle, Washington

Every single day, I am forced to inhale second-hand smoke. I am unable to use my patio, ever, without smelling cigarette smoke. It is the height of the summer heat, and I am unable to open my windows to allow cool air inside, making my apartment an unlivable "sweat box." Cigarette smoke drifts from units on both sides of me, as well as above and below. I have begun to suffer coughs and sore throats from the second-hand smoke. When I complained to the management, I was told "there's nothing we can do."

From: Heather, Nordland, WA

My units have been smoke free for years. I simply advertise, no smoking, and it is written into the lease. So far I have had no difficulty, and no one has broken their lease. BUT, if I need to, I can always evict someone if they decide to smoke. Very straight forward.




  • Last Updated: 10/01/10

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