Prevent smoking in your Airbnb

[Imke22]

Maintaining a smoke-free Airbnb is crucial for protecting your property and ensuring a pleasant experience for all guests. Smoking can lead to unpleasant odors, potential fire hazards, and costly cleaning fees. Here are some effective strategies to prevent smoking in your Airbnb:

1. Clear House Rules: Clearly state your no-smoking policy in your listing and reinforce it during the booking process. Use signage inside your property as a reminder.
2. Security Deposits: Implement a security deposit to cover any potential smoking-related damages. This can deter guests from violating your no-smoking policy.
3. Smoke Monitors: Consider installing devices like Alertify, which can detect all types of smoking from cigarette to marijuana smoke. The monitor will notify you in real-time if any violations occur. It can also provide you with after-incident reports which are highly valuable when settling disputes or claiming for damages.
4. Outdoor Alternatives: Provide designated outdoor smoking areas with ashtrays to discourage indoor smoking. Make it clear that smoking is only permitted in these areas.
5. Guest Reviews: Leave honest reviews about guests who violate your smoking policy. This can help other hosts and encourage future compliance.

By taking these steps, you can maintain a smoke-free environment, protect your property, and enhance the experience for all your guests.

[Karen114 · Accepted solution]

@Imke22  Great advice!  I did install the Wynd Sentry in one of my units that is more prone to smoking.  I did not install on some units that I believed the probablilty was very low of this happening.  Well it happened.  The guest chain smoked for 10 days inside the unit.  It smelled awful and next guests of course complained and dinged me on the review.

  It took me running the Ozone machine for 3 solid days to get rid of smell.  I am going to look into Alertify.  

[Imke22]

Hey @Karen114 

So sorry to hear about your terrible experience. It’s always frustrating when guests don’t respect your no-smoking policy, especially when it impacts future stays and reviews.

Alertify's monitors are designed exactly for these situations—providing real-time alerts to help prevent smoking incidents before they cause damage. Plus, with features like guest communication and automatic violation reports, you can address issues immediately and keep your property protected.

We’d be happy to help you explore how Alertify can work for you. Let us know if you have any questions!

Best,
Imke

[Helen3]

Are you a host or here today promote your business @Imke22 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Imke22 

Great advice but unless you go through a Channel Manager, you cannot asks guests for a deposit anymore.  Air Cover is supposed to kick in if there is an issue with a guest...

[Imke22]

Hi there @Joelle43 

Thanks for highlighting that! You're absolutely right—Airbnb’s recent policy changes have made it more difficult to request deposits directly. However, if you’re listing on other platforms, it's still a great idea to ask for a deposit. With Alertify integrated with WelcomeLink, you can easily collect deposits before check-in, adding an extra layer of protection.

That’s why proactive measures like Alertify’s real-time noise and smoke monitoring are so crucial. While AirCover offers some coverage, having your own monitoring system allows you to detect and address issues instantly, preventing damages before they escalate. Plus, Alertify’s violation reports provide clear, objective proof that can strengthen your case when submitting claims to AirCover.

Combining these tools with a Channel Manager for deposit options can give you the comprehensive protection you need.

Thanks again for your insights!

Best regards,
Imke

[Paula]

Hello @Imke22, I hope you are doing well!

Our experienced Hosts have shared some very valuable opinions. Have you had a chance to read them? We would love to hear your thoughts.

Regards,

[Imke22]

Hi @Paula 

I'm doing very well thanks — I hope you are too!

Thanks for notifying me of the responses. I haven't been on the site in a while to see them.

I've replied to Joelle and Karen and I look forward to reading future responses.

Warm regards,
Imke