Smoking Guest but House Rules say No Smokers

[Lynne27]

My house rules clearly state "no smoking and no smokers" because I can smell smoke on people who smoke outside the house and they carry the smell into house. I rent one room in my house but my husband and I live in the house as well. It is not a whole house rental.

I have a man here who has been here for 3 days and leaves in the morning. I suspected he was a smoker, but wasn't sure, but tonight I was definitely smelling cigarette smoke and I confronted him. He has indeed been going outside to smoke on the deck. I can smell the smoke in the room he and his wife are sleeping in and also in the adjoining rooms, despite the closed door.

I'm very angry about this and have told him I am going to charge extra to compensate for all the cleaning that will need to be done to get rid of the smell.

I guess I'm just venting, but I'm hoping that the airbnb dispute center will allow me to do this.

[Annette33]

well, he clearly is breaking your house rules. the best course of action may be to cancel his remaining stay and to ask him to leave. you may end up with less $$, but that might be worth it because it upsets you. (it would upset me too!)! I used to be a smoker, gave it up 20 yesrs ago, but when I smoked, I had no clue how penetrating the smell is. that is no excuse though for that guest, just saying that he thinks it's no big deal, but it is! and you certainly don't have to explain at all why you don't want smokers! Hope you find the right solution...

[Momi0]

@Lynne27  Here is exactly what you can do and SHOULD DO.  You inform the guest that you have contacted Airbnb, and reported they have broken your very strict NO SMOKING rules and cancel the rest of their stay.  This guests can be asked to leave once its been proven they broke a rule. This happened to me on my 2nd booking in 2015 (I caught him smoking) and the guests was reported to Airbnb immediately, and I recorded my conversation that I had with the guests in my home, as well as took a photo of his cig butts in my yard and he was immediately asked to vacate our home by Airbnb THAT VERY NIGHT!  I felt a little nervous about his demeanor and contacted the Hawaii Police department to request help. So glad I did too because the guest (husband) got physically violent with me and my husband. (broke 3 of my toes) Which was all caught on video. The police were great!  They removed the guy and his wife without any further problems, and Airbnb was great.  And all ended well.   They were actually escorted by the police out of my town after I declined to press charges.  I had every right to have him arrested but felt bad for his wife and their 6 month old baby, so I told the police to take the handcuffs off.  But the guests has to know that this is NOT ACCEPTABLE.  This is our home and we have rules for a reason.

When hosts allow guests to remain in the home after they  have broken the rules, this is why travelers think its ok to come to other hosts homes and break the rules.  Please do not accept this.  Contact Airbnb ASAP.  Do you know that they will not be refunded any money as well for breaking your rules and ending the booking early?  Please open your account, go to your dashboard, click on their booking resersation, and click on link REPORT A PROBLEM.  This will allow you to document everything and while you are doing this, contact Airbnb on the phone.  Their phone support is awesome and support the hosts 100% about rules needing to be followed and respected.   This guests needs to leave immediately.  Please be sure to write back on the post and let everyone know the first name of the guests and what city, country so we all dont't get this liars request too.  (DO NOT GIVE OUT HIS LAST NAME FOR PRIVACY ISSUE)  - Thank you.  Airbnb customer service number is 1-888326-5753 - CALL ASAP. Good luck.  We are all here for you.

[Lynne27]

Thank you Momi and others. I have spoken to airbnb resolution and they were supportive and helpful.

[Priscilla71]

As a sigle woman who rents out extra rooms, I don't think airBNB does much to support us in situations like this. There is someone here who has been observing my no smoking rules by stepping outside. But then tonight decides he doesn't feel like it, I guess. The room is in the back of hte house but my entire house smells like cigarettes. I knock on the door and when he opens it, smokes hits me in the face. Mind you the room is very small and now all the stuff in there will smell like smoke!

[David126]

Damages you have to sepcify, invoices etc, not sure if I have seen one for non specific extra cleaning.

[Jiw0]

Hmm. It seems that your rule gets very close to 'no smokers' as opposed to just no smoking in the house?

We have a rule for no smoking inside, but stepping outside is okay.   Yes, that does mean some of the smoke smell carries inside a bit, but not to the extent that it requires thorough cleaning;  open the windows for an afternoon and it's gone.

Many people would assume that smoking outside wouldn't be a problem. (And you can tell them exactly how far outside, of course.)

[John337]

I have a no smoking rule in the house and suite I rent.  However, yes, I also smell the smoke and am upset.  Should I specifify "no smokers" in my house rules?  Because these guests are from another country, I am trying to keep an open mind.

However, I am wondering how I will remove the smokey smell once they are gone and the issues this will create for next guests?

[Jill2]

@Jiw0 I have 3 small guest houses behind my main house where we live in Santa Monica.  So windows are wide open 10 months a year.  I specify actually in the listing AND on house rules 'Absolutely no smoking inside or outside anywhere on the property so no one is assuming they can smoke right outside front door.

[Tonya80]

Have you had any further smokers once you specified the No smoking rules?

[Jill2]

I have 4 guest houses and i live in the main house all same location.  STRICT no smoking inside or outside anywhere on my property.  Never been violated.  They walk out onto the street and smoke and neighbors HATE it.    I HATE when i get smokers...can smell it instantly and after they leave i have to deeply wash even the actual pillows them selves (not just pillow protectors)..They stink!  and the 2 mattress protectors even rugs.

My questions with all the laws and discrimination complaints..am i able to say 'No Smokers' instead of 'NO smoking'?  And really clarify the difference in my rules.

 Another question is why the heck do smokers book a property that makes it so inconvenient to smoke when plenty available rentals where they can smoke just outside their door?

Thank for the allowing me to vent.

[Tonya80]

Awesome!  Thank you!

[Pete69]

I've come to learn that you have to repeat your no-smoking rule multiple times or you will get people who want to break the rules. You have to scare these people off from the get-go! In the very first paragraph of my listing description, I say "No smoking, pets, parties." I also mention "This is a non-smoking suite! Future guests are expecting a clean air room." under other things to note. Once they arrive, I have a no-smoking sign on the refrigerator and under the glass on the desktop. Some people choose "nosmoking" as their WIFI password for just one more reminder!

If you get enough smokers, then that smoke gets into carpet fibers and whatnot. Soon your place starts smelling like an Extended Stay America hotel room.