Apartment very smelly!

[Sandrine996]

Hello all

I recently had a guest who booked our apartment for 16 nights. The booking was for his parents visiting him **. 
Upon walking into the apartment when they checked out, it was clear that they cooked with very strong aromatic spices, without opening windows or the balcony. Not only did our apartment have this very strong smell, but the whole corridor did also. 
As we worked our way through cleaning, we began noticing stains of curry on the walls, on the carpets, on light switches! It’s been 3 days of cleaning. Done all the tricks: vinegar, baking soda, incense, candles, diffusers, tea tree oil… nothing is working. It seems we will need to bring in industrial cleaners? Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Would really love some advice. We also noticed they had broken some kitchenware. They didn’t tell us, but as we cleaned, we found glass and pieces of plates in places. Dodgy…

**[Content removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Helen3]

Unfortunately you won't be able to claim for additional cleaning or damages as you accepted a third party booking @Sandrine996 

Do leave an honest review .

[Helen744]

@Sandrine, some other things you can try are boiling water through both the microwave and on the stove top .Leaving an open box of bi carb soda in the areas . But generally it is clean clean clean and clean again .Keep the windows open as much as possible . I did at one stage think about instituting a ban on cooking very smelly foods and eating them in the bedrooms.At least three of my groups of guests have been over and beyond the smell test. The main problem is possible loss of income from incoming guests if you cannot rectify the smell before someone else is due to arrive. Twice I have had to wash all walls. Smells if of cooking or other things can be very difficult to deal with . I suggest you make a private remark to the guest that it took longer than normal to remove ;strong ; cooking smells from the house and ask for an extra amount for cleaning... H

[Breanna]

Hi @Sandrine996 

It looks like @Helen3  and @Helen744 have offered some good advice.

Did any cleaning or airing method work best in the end?

[Joan2709]

Hi @Sandrine996 

I have heard some hosts use Ozone cleaners in the unit. Use caution as no one should be inside the unit when the machine is in operation (including any pets).

[Roberto2387]

I'm sorry to hear about your challenging experience with the guests and the strong odors left in your apartment. Here's some advice and steps you can consider:

1. **Document the Damage:** Take clear photos of the stains, broken kitchenware, and any other issues you discover. This will be important if you need to make a claim against the security deposit or request compensation.

2. **Contact the Guest:** Reach out to the guest who booked the apartment and kindly inquire about the damages and strong odors. It's possible they were unaware of the extent of the issues or didn't realize they caused damage.

3. **Review House Rules:** Ensure that your rental agreement or house rules include clauses about the responsible use of the property, including cooking with strong-smelling ingredients. This can serve as a reference if you need to discuss the situation with the guest.

4. **Use Professional Cleaning Services:** If your cleaning efforts aren't effective, it might be necessary to hire professional cleaners who specialize in odor removal and deep cleaning. They have the equipment and expertise to address tough stains and lingering smells.

5. **Guest Reviews:** After resolving the issue, consider leaving a polite but honest review for the guest, highlighting the need for respectful use of the property and proper communication regarding damages.

6. **Security Deposit:** If you have a security deposit in place, assess the damages and costs involved. You can use the deposit to cover expenses for repairs, replacement of kitchenware, and professional cleaning.

7. **Preventive Measures:** To avoid similar situations in the future, you can consider adding stricter rules about cooking, using the kitchen, and opening windows while cooking strong-smelling foods. Clearly communicate these rules to guests.

Remember that open communication with the guest and clear documentation of the issues are key. While this situation is challenging, it's an opportunity to learn and improve your property management to prevent such incidents in the future.