Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by Rental Recon
Running and owning multiple Airbnbs comes with several challenges. One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is how to enforce our strict Airbnb no-smoking policy and protect our vacation rentals. That’s why it’s important to take precautions and communicate your house rules and smoking policy clearly with future guests.
While Airbnb makes it clear that there should be no smoking inside,[efb_feed fanpage_id=”847471287009191″ type=”group” skin_id=”32240″ words_limit=”25″ links_new_tab=”1″] you need to make sure your guests understand where they can and cannot smoke. Cigarette smoke not only makes it more difficult for our cleaning crew but also upsets future guests.
How to Communicate Your House Rules with Future Guests
Airbnb guests typically expect that your Airbnb rental will be smoke-free. As a short-term rental host, you want to make sure that you are open with your guests even BEFORE they rent your property.
In your house rules, be clear to show that your vacation rental property does not allow guests to smoke. Then you’ll want to make sure you write your no smoking policy in your intro message which gets sent to guests as soon as they book.
Be direct but kind. You can tell guests that you don’t allow smoking on your property and give them an alternative location where they can go to smoke if they need a location.
Can I Charge an Airbnb Smoking Fee After a Guest Checks Out?
You’ll need to gather proof so that Airbnb lets you charge an extra fee. Proof can be difficult to gather but can include messages that show the guest refusing to stop after getting caught smoking, cigarette butts, empty cigarette packs, and smoke stains.
What’s the Best Way To Protect Your Rental Property from Smokers?
Make Your No Smoking Policy Clear in Your Listing
Don’t leave anything to chance. Make sure your guests know that you don’t tolerate any smoke in your home. You should have clear house rules and reference the Airbnb no smoking policy. The first goal is to deter guests who might smoke inside.
Install a Camera in Outdoor Areas
If you have a strict no smoking policy you can consider adding cameras to the outdoor areas to monitor your property. But, we don’t recommend trying to install cameras inside the property, as guests will feel like they are being watched making them uncomfortable and causing them to leave a negative review.
Add No Smoking Signs Inside Your Property
In addition to making your no-smoking policy extremely clear in your Airbnb listing, make sure to have a sign somewhere visible in your Airbnb. We put a sign on the inside of the front door.
Install a Smoke Detector
Installing a smoke/noise detector is a great way to prevent guests looking to party from even booking your property in the first place. Make sure you post a picture in your Airbnb listing.
Upgrading from a normal smoke detector to a smart home monitor has been a game changer for us in our Airbnbs. Let’s take a look at our favorites below:
Our Choice for the Best Smoke & Noise Detector
Sentry by Wynd is a great home smart monitor for your Airbnb. Not only does it work well but it has an app that connects to your phone and lets you monitor from anywhere.
Pros of the Sentry by Wynd
Quick Detection: The Sentry smoke detector has been tested and found that it can detect smoke faster than smoke can cause damage. Their technology has been tested for cigarette detection, marijuana detection, and vape detection.
Live Noise Level Chart: This two-in-one smoke and noise detector easily sees the noise level in your Airbnb as it is happening. You’ll be able to see at what time the sound rose above your set decibel level.
Push Notifications: The Sentry smart alarm sends alerts straight to your phone. This includes when the internet or power is disconnected. This live data is sent to you so that you can quickly and easily communicate your house rules with your guests again.
Free Trial: You have the freedom to test out Sentry for 30 days before committing to a contract.
Cons of the Sentry by Wynd
Subscription-Based: For the Sentry to be active and collect data, you need to sign up for their subscription. These prices add up over time and need to be considered in the cost of your Airbnb per night cost.
Depends on WiFi Connection: You’ll want to make sure that your rental property has a strong Internet connection because this device depends on it.
Alternate Smart Alarm to Protect Your Airbnb
If you’re looking for another way to protect your Airbnb we like the Minut Smart Alarm. It is a great alternative for detecting temperature, humidity, motion, and sound.
Pros of the Minut Smart Alarm
Easy-To-Use App: The Minut app allows you to monitor noise and smoke through its mobile phone app and puts everything in an easy-to-read format.
Works Outside As Well: We were sick of getting complaints from our rental property neighbors complaining about noise. Luckily, the Minut Smart Alarm has been designed with Airbnb hosts in mind. These alarms work great to detect noise outside your property.
Cons of the Minut Smart Alarm
Only Detects Cigarettes: While the Minut Smart Alarm offers several great benefits, its smoke detection technology is newer than Sentry and currently is only able to detect cigarette smoke.
Subscription-Based: Just like the Sentry smoke and noise detector, you will be required to pay a monthly fee.
What To Do If Your Guests Smoke in Your Rental Property?
Collect Evidence of the Rule Being Broken
If you find out that your guest is smoking in your Airbnb, make sure you communicate with them immediately and be clear that you do not tolerate smoking in your property.
One of the only ways that Airbnb will allow you to charge a guest an extra fee is if the guest refuses to stop smoking. You’ll also need to provide Airbnb with proof of the rule being broken.
Deep Cleaning
Clean environments get higher star reviews. So, when guests smoke in your property, it can threaten your reviews in the future. That’s why we recommend hiring professional cleaning services to get rid of the smoke damage using their skills (and air purifiers!).
But if you don’t want to hire a professional cleaning service, you can use some of our cleaning tips below:
How to Remove Smoke Smell From Your Airbnb
If a guest smoked inside your Airbnb, don’t worry, we’ve been there and we’ve got you covered.
First, you’ll want to open up all the windows to air out your rental property. Then go through all your typical cleaning procedures like cleaning the bed linens, pillows, etc. Make sure to clean all your soft fabrics, like curtains as well. Once this is finished, it’s time to deep wash the smoke damage away.
Here are a few suggestions to get your property back to smelling fresh:
Use an Ozone Air Purifier
These affordable and portable deodorizers are great for Superhosts that run multiple properties. Simply place the machine in your smoke-damaged property and then leave it to finish its job. When you return, your property will be ready for your next guests.
If you want to ensure your property is smelling fresh, we recommend this Enerzen Ozone machine. It’s easy to use and does a great job breaking down strong smells in our Airbnbs.
White Vinegar & Baking Soda
The trusty duo when it comes to getting rid of odors in our Airbnbs. Sprinkle baking soda into soft furniture and carpets, and leave overnight before taking a vacuum to all the surfaces the next day.
At the same time as sprinkling baking soda, you can leave a few bowls of white vinegar around your rental property to get rid of the odor.
Use Coffee Grounds
Another way to get rid of smoke inside is to use coffee grounds. Buy a big bag of grounds at a bulk store and then place them in bowls and plates all around your house.
Clean the Walls
Cigarette smoke can get bad. And if it does, you’ll need to clean it off the walls. You can combine baking soda, warm water, and a splash of vinegar in a bucket and stir. This will now be your cleaning solution. Work a rag up and down your wall until it is clean. Refresh the solution often. Then, dry the wall with a clean rag.
Conclusion
No one wants to walk into their Airbnb after a guest and smell the musky, humid smell of smokers. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do if your guest ends up smoking in your property, so you want to make sure that you prevent new guests from smoking in the first place.
This means communicating the no-smoking policy clearly and investing in a smoke detector to deter smokers.
Starting an Airbnb can be a struggle but we’re here to give you tips that make it easier. If you’d like to improve your rental property and become a Superhost, you can check out Vacation Rental & Airbnb Hosting Tips here…>>
