Marijuana smell lingering in my listing

[Richard1435]

Hi everyone, I’m quite new to hosting. I have a lovely little flat in Brighton. And at the moment it’s doing quite well. Although a few days ago I had a young boy (22) from London, check in . Very last minute. He had just booked for himself, with a view to visiting his auntie who lived here !? Then, what ends  via the ring camera on the outside of my flat, that his friend was coming into the flat as well. I did inform Airbnb. They did call him. And he did pay for two people for the rest of his stay. His full stay was three nights. My ring camera notified me and flags up if anybody is in the vicinity of the outside of the flat.

All I would say, for three days it was non-stop notifying that they were coming and going literally every 30 minutes. On one occasion, the actual guest that booked it wedged the door open so I couldn’t see him but was whistling in the doorway for somebody to come and meet him in the doorway of the main block of flats. Assess that “suspicious” activity as you see fit. On the last night, around 10 pm. Via text, My old neighbour from the top floor of the flats. Said he had enough of the smell of marijuana it been going on for three days now from our flat. The smell had gassed the communal area and was obviously coming from our flat and the two guys that were in it. I have challenged him about it and after initially being defensive, he did admit that he had been smoking. Wd agreed a price of a deep clean of the flat and the communal hallways of £200. That was done when they left. I haven’t received anything back yet and is pending on Airbnb site. I’ve come in today, another guests just did one night. My aim was to get it ready for the next guest. But they’re only coming in a week. But the flat still smells of marijuana. It feels like it’s in the furniture, in the blinds and in the carpet. What would you recommend?  The cleaners did do a deep clean and deodorised as much as they could in a short period of time.(hence the charge of £200 they presented me with).  But, now two days later the smell is still here! Firstly, I can get a deep clean booked in! But that’s more money. Secondly, can I slap him with more costs, aswell as the £200?  Thanks if you can help? Dicky 

[Shelley159]

Hi @Richard1435 

It's good to see that your guest was willing to pay the extra person charge and that he seems willing to pay for cleaning - many similar posts here have a less positive financial outcome! If I remember correctly, @Marie8425 uses some household items that could help with lingering smoke. I've tagged her so she can share her recommendation

[Marie8425]

 @Shelley159 

Thank you.  He sent me a direct message and I gave hin some ideas.

[Bhumika]

Hi @Marie8425 @Shelley159 @Helen3 , thanks so much for sharing your ideas with @Richard1435 🌻

@Marie8425 , would you mind sharing your tips in this thread as well? It would be helpful for other hosts to learn from them!

@Richard1435 , which tip was the most effective in getting rid of the smell? 

Looking forward to learn from your ideas!

[Marie8425]

@Bhumika 

Basically we deal with cigarette smoke,  I am the culprit actually like right now I have four non smoking guests and one non smoking husband. lol

My husband does love concoctions and cost savings because i our house it is a regular occurrence.  I do have individual air purifiers in every room.

Basically my husband is creating an oxidation product.  You can buy them if only occasional need, Since he does frequently he uses a recipe he found on  the internet, it is very easy and he buys the products to make it off Amazon.  The key thing is really time between steps, he tells Alexa 3 hour timer for one part.  My adult kids don't smoke and kids can be extremely honest haha.  One son was coming to visit and my husband has one of those vapor spraying machines to spray the house.  My son the first time we tried it said your house doesn't smell like a Vegas casino anymore. lol  I guess it works.

[Bhumika]

@Marie8425 Thanks so much for sharing these details of the secret potion 😍 It sounds like you have a unique approach to manage the lingering smoke! 

Sometime ago, one of our hosts from French community @Zoé27  shared a home made detergent recipe. I was wondering if you were interested in sharing the recipe of your husband's DIY concoctions 😉 I think it would definitely benefit hosts facing similar concerns.

Have you found that your guests have commented on the air quality, or do they typically notice the efforts you've made to keep the air fresh?

[Marie8425]

@Bhumika 

I will ask him this weekend.  Actually I never get smokers lol,  I do mostly mid term work stays so my shortest is 30 days.  I don't hide I smoke it is in my ad and just in case I always mention right away.  Nobody complains.  haha  All the smokers seen to go to non smoking rentals

[Bhumika]

Thanks so much @Marie8425 , looking forward to the recipe 😍 

I really like your solid and transparent approach — seems like your guests definitely appreciate this honesty!

[Marie8425]

@Bhumika 

Always approach things positively.  I say "Just in case allergies you did notice I have pets and smoke cigarettes?"  Offering allergies excuse gives the guest an easy way out they don't have to say smoke stinks haha

[Bhumika]

Ahahaha @Marie8425 , appreciate your communication style  😍

I so much agree, that if handled positively, it can be easier to navigate through such situations or conversations !

Have you had instances where guests didn't take it well though? ( If not , fingers crossed — hope it stays that way! 😄)

[Marie8425]

Actually no.  Everyone has said they notice and their not allergic.  Haha  I know I thought it would ne a negative but I haven't had problems,

[Bhumika]

That's amazing! @Marie8425 😍 So glad to hear that it works out smoothly 🤗

[Helen3]

Hi @Richard1435 

Sounds like it was a county lines operation .

I am not sure if you can charge him an extra fee. But check with Airbnb.