Topic: Smoke Free Property conversion

My investor would like us to put together a scope of work and pricing for converting our vacant apartments to "Smoke Free" apartments. I know over the years there have been articles on this subject matter. Has anyone ever completed a conversion? Thanks for your assistance!

I work for the American Lung Association in Indiana and my role here is to assist properties with transitioning to a smoke-free property. While I do not know the costs associated with converting vacant units to smoke-free, I do have the ability to assist you with a local contact in the state you are working who can provide you with technical assistance around the policy, cessation education and other areas. Please feel free to contact me via the following website. INsmokefreehousing.com

I did a conversion several years ago. Replacing carpet is a must! Next, all ceiling and walls should be painting with an odor resistant additive to the paint (Sherwin Williams had some). HVAC ductwork should be cleaned along with all blinds and other large fixtures. This will get MOST of the previous smoke smell out.

My Addendum contained "HIGHLIGHTED" clauses that 1. We don't guarantee it to be 100% free of smoke and 2. We do not guarantee you will not smell smoke from other tenants. The problem I came across was "reducing the use of the residence to a degree it no longer can be used by the tenant the way they did before the new "No Smoking" rules. We asked those in a current lease to voluntarily quit smoking inside along with a list of liabilities if they continued to smoke inside that we had no control over (such as their neighbor suing them for damages.)

I had all sign an addendum and initial they are quitting or continuing to smoke. 45 out of 47 units complied with the non-smoking request. The other 2 were given notices that their apartment would go no smoking upon lease renewal (they both renewed).

Maintenance still caught residents or their guests smoking. We had problems with the downstairs half bath being their "inside smoking area." We had about 4 move-outs where the marijuana smell in the half bath nearly knocked you down when you open the door.

We also had 2 HVAC units freezing up due to the residents leaving their back patio doors open in 90+ degree heat and standing inside smoking at the door. We had to replace one unit because they burned it up. They were having weekend parties, leaving the patio door open and smoking oxycontin and other recreational drugs. They were asked to leave.

I only had one tenant move in then out because her neighbors were one of the tenants who were still smoking (they had 3 adult chain smokers) and she could smell it coming through the walls. She was very allergic to smoke and so was her daughter. They had to go to the emergency room due to the smoke. I took my "super-nose" mom in the apartment and she couldn't smell any smoke coming from next door. She was there 7 days and moved out.

I thought it was easy. Communication in writing is the key!!

Good luck!

Sandy