Post by High Priestess on Feb 23, 2016 19:01:47 GMT
Fiona shared on New HOsts Forum 5 months ago
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-177556
No Smoking Rule
Fiona
My guests checked in yesterday and the first thing the husband asked was where could he smoke. He was really surprised when I said nowhere. Not in the house, not on the property. So, we agreed he would go out to the street. I don't even want to know what he is doing with the butts since I didn't see him bring them back in. He was outside smoking when I went over the rules and he isn't the Airbnb account holder but he certainly knows he can't smoke here. I came back this morning from taking my children to school and the smell of smoke hit me as soon as I walked in the front door. I hate smoking. I also have a daughter with a breathing condition where exposure to second-hand smoke is completely toxic.
Two-part question: 1) What would you do other than ignore it? My thought is to send a message to the account holder (wife) through the Airbnb system and ask point blank if anyone was smoking in the house and see what she says. I know he may not have, smokers smell like smoke and maybe he had just walked by. I didn't smell it on him yesterday when they checked in and don't have a keen sense of smell but that could be what happened. 2)Have you had personal experience with someone breaking a no smoking house rule? If so, what happened? Thanks collective hosting wisdom!
14 comments
Follow
Like
Delete
Hide
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
2) Have you had personal experience with someone breaking a no smoking house rule. If so, what happened? Thanks collective hosting wisdom!
Reply Like Delete
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed5 months ago
Perhaps you should change the rule to "no smokers", rather than just "no smoking". Yes, I would just ignore it, but i would also offer him an empty can, jar, or similar, for him to put the cigarette ends into.
Reply Like Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks J&E, are you allowed to ban smokers entirely? I wouldn't have thought so. I'm not going to ignore it, I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear in the long question but I will offer a jar to him. One of the things I dislike most about smoking is the litter smokers often leave so I certainly don't want him leaving them on the sidewalk.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Cynthia
Cynthia5 months ago
You can absolutely ban smokers entirely - "smokers" are not a protected class of people. Though you are at the mercy of them being truthful that they are indeed non-smokers, which can sometimes be challenging.
Linda
Linda5 months ago
A lit of smokers save the butts to smoke later and that really has a smell and would account for the strong odor you got when you came into the house. Give him some tupperware for his smokes and let know that your child is highly allergic and to keep his cigarettes in a container.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Serafina
Serafina5 months ago
I suspected my last guests of smoking in the house, but they didn't removed the trash before leaving and there were no butts in it, so my suspicions were probably incorrect. Many places here, including the University campus and the public parks forbid smoking anywhere on the property. I do allow people to smoke outside, and remind them of how to dispose of the litter. My last smoking guest left the property altogether to smoke because he didn't feel it was appropriate to do around other people's children, a gesture I really appreciated.
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Raymond & Elaine
![]()
Raymond & Elaine5 months ago
Yes that's a nice thing to do.
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
I don't even allow people to smoke outside, anywhere on the property. Partly because I think it makes it much harder to prove if they smoked inside and partly because I don't want to annoy my wonderful neighbours in any way and litter often follows smokers.
Raymond & Elaine
Raymond & Elaine5 months ago
It's your home and your comfort it's also a question of your daughter's health so I would write to the wife who made the reservation reminding her of the 'No smoking' rules and explain your reasons why, maybe emphasizing the health risk to your young family.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks R&E. I have written to the wife asking if anyone smoked inside or on the property and await a reply.
Anastasia
Anastasia5 months ago
I walked past a guests room and smelled smoke so I text him..... " I'm sorry this is a non smoking house " and he said that he wasn't smoking. What could I do
/
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
That's the question isn't it Anastasia? I'm wondering if anyone has had the experience of busting someone smoking and what happened. Did you take it any further? I don't think there is much to do unless you see them yourselves. The smoke smell clings to people so they may well be telling the truth.
Evelyn
Evelyn5 months ago
I added a rule of not throwing cigarette butts in the trash because it made the entire apartment smell like smoke. Let them know about your daughter's health condition. Maybe that will deter them from smoking or exhaling that last hit near your home.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Ugh, I just don't want it around. I certainly don't want him disposing of butts in the house but certainly don't want him littering outside either.
Alejandra
Alejandra5 months ago
LOL collective hosting wisdom! soooo true
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
This forum is such a great resource.
Andrew
Andrew5 months ago
I think banning smokers outright would be somewhat problematic. You definitely don't want a heavy smoker like this guy - who probably trails his odor like Pepe le Pew - but someone who takes a casual puff while out and about but abstains in your home is unlikely to pose a problem.
If you can ascertain that smoking definitely occurred in your house, that should be sufficient grounds to kick the guests out. In the likelier event that they deny it and there's no evidence to prove otherwise, I think it's best to sit them down and have a conversation - especially if their booking is for more than just a night or two. The accommodation is clearly not a good fit for the husband, as nobody likes being banished to the street to smoke, and no guest is worth putting your daughter's health at risk. If I were in your situation I'd offer to grant them a full refund for the remaining days of their stay if they wanted to re-home to somewhere that allowed smoking.
I'd also suggest putting greater emphasis on smoking in your House Rules. I see it's in there, but while your rules are very entertaining they are also somewhat lengthy - less attentive readers will miss it altogether, and even the more attentive ones will fail to recognize how serious of an issue secondhand smoke would be for your family.
Reply Like 3 replies•2 likes Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks Andrew. I've written to the wife asking if anyone smoked in or near the house but don't have an answer yet. I'm really sensitive to it on the grounds that anyone who will break that rule will be casual about others. My House Rules are so imperfect. They were just this great long list but I rewrote them to try to emphasize what was critical (no smoking) and what was preferred but no big deal (parking in front of the neighbours' houses). Any constructive criticism is welcome.
Andrew
Andrew5 months ago
I like the approach of prioritizing the rules. Perhaps just give your smoking policy its own line, in stronger language, rather than lumping it in with flames and noise. "NO SMOKING of tobacco or any other substance anywhere on the property - indoors or outdoors."
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks, I'll make an adjustment!
Joyce
Joyce5 months ago
I've never caught wind of anyone smoking in my home, but I have had smokers stay with me. A few of them have been among my nicest guests, so I'm not personally inclined to ban all smokers from reservation parties.
The only issue I've had is once or twice, smokers have left their butts in my trash can, right inside the front door, and it stinks when I open the door. I quickly removed that trash, and being that it was summer time, opened windows to air the place out. I didn't have to say anything because the person whose name was on the reservation chided the smoker within my earshot on more than one occasion. He obviously read the rules, but the guest of the guest did not. In the end, the result was as needed, so I didn't have to do anything.
What I would consider doing in this case, though, is speak with them about your rules, particularly the fact that it endangers your child's health (a lot of people suddenly don't consider a rule arbitrary in nature when it affects a child) and offer them the opportunity to be re-homed (although I don't think I'd want to do this at my own expense by offering a refund since they agreed to house rules when they reserved). I haven't had to do anything this drastic yet, but I would like to think Airbnb would support you on this issue if the guest just can't tolerate whatever solution you offer since it is YOUR house and YOUR rules that were available (if not highlighted to the point a person who doesn't care to read could not ignore them) before booking.
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks Joyce, yes, if she says one of them smoked in the house they are out and I'll put in a claim for the security deposit. They are only here for three nights but I have guests arriving the day after who won't appreciate the aroma I'm sure. I'm nervous about it though, I like them personally and don't have total faith in Airbnb backing me up. If she says no, no one smoked, I'll believe that and mention my daughter's frailty so they are extra careful.
Renee
Renee5 months ago
If I have smokers, I say smoke in your car, walk to the park or around the block, but stay away until the smoke clears out of their hair & clothes.
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
That can take a while. In college one of my friends across the hall had a smoking roommate. We all loved her but the one thing that drove my friend crazy was when she came out of the shower and started drying herself off she said her towel always smelled of smoke, just from having been stored in the room and it ruined the being clean feeling.
Joyce
Joyce5 months ago
ewwww!
Jackie
Jackie5 months ago
It's difficult to be certain though isn't it? One of a couple that I hosted was a smoker, she abided by rules and went right out on the the street for her 'pre-breakfast fag' but I could still smell it on her when she came back in to the house. If a person smokes then it will linger on their clothes and so used clothes left in their room may make the room smell as if they have smoked there when they haven't.
On the other hand, some smokers believe rules are stupid and why shouldn't they smoke in your house? Luckily I haven't had any of these...yet
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
I guess that's why we have rules, out they go if that's the attitude and you catch them.
Fleur, Dan and kids
Fleur, Dan and kids5 months ago
i have thought about banning smokers but i've had quite a few stay and i must admit they really masked the smell well. I don't know how they did it but even the sheets didn't have a wiff of tobacco.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Deborah
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-177556
No Smoking Rule
FionaMy guests checked in yesterday and the first thing the husband asked was where could he smoke. He was really surprised when I said nowhere. Not in the house, not on the property. So, we agreed he would go out to the street. I don't even want to know what he is doing with the butts since I didn't see him bring them back in. He was outside smoking when I went over the rules and he isn't the Airbnb account holder but he certainly knows he can't smoke here. I came back this morning from taking my children to school and the smell of smoke hit me as soon as I walked in the front door. I hate smoking. I also have a daughter with a breathing condition where exposure to second-hand smoke is completely toxic.
Two-part question: 1) What would you do other than ignore it? My thought is to send a message to the account holder (wife) through the Airbnb system and ask point blank if anyone was smoking in the house and see what she says. I know he may not have, smokers smell like smoke and maybe he had just walked by. I didn't smell it on him yesterday when they checked in and don't have a keen sense of smell but that could be what happened. 2)Have you had personal experience with someone breaking a no smoking house rule? If so, what happened? Thanks collective hosting wisdom!
14 comments
Follow
Like
Delete
Hide
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
2) Have you had personal experience with someone breaking a no smoking house rule. If so, what happened? Thanks collective hosting wisdom!
Reply Like Delete
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed5 months ago
Perhaps you should change the rule to "no smokers", rather than just "no smoking". Yes, I would just ignore it, but i would also offer him an empty can, jar, or similar, for him to put the cigarette ends into.
Reply Like Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks J&E, are you allowed to ban smokers entirely? I wouldn't have thought so. I'm not going to ignore it, I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear in the long question but I will offer a jar to him. One of the things I dislike most about smoking is the litter smokers often leave so I certainly don't want him leaving them on the sidewalk.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Cynthia
Cynthia5 months ago
You can absolutely ban smokers entirely - "smokers" are not a protected class of people. Though you are at the mercy of them being truthful that they are indeed non-smokers, which can sometimes be challenging.
Linda
Linda5 months ago
A lit of smokers save the butts to smoke later and that really has a smell and would account for the strong odor you got when you came into the house. Give him some tupperware for his smokes and let know that your child is highly allergic and to keep his cigarettes in a container.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Serafina
Serafina5 months ago
I suspected my last guests of smoking in the house, but they didn't removed the trash before leaving and there were no butts in it, so my suspicions were probably incorrect. Many places here, including the University campus and the public parks forbid smoking anywhere on the property. I do allow people to smoke outside, and remind them of how to dispose of the litter. My last smoking guest left the property altogether to smoke because he didn't feel it was appropriate to do around other people's children, a gesture I really appreciated.
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Raymond & Elaine
Raymond & Elaine5 months ago
Yes that's a nice thing to do.
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
I don't even allow people to smoke outside, anywhere on the property. Partly because I think it makes it much harder to prove if they smoked inside and partly because I don't want to annoy my wonderful neighbours in any way and litter often follows smokers.
Raymond & Elaine
Raymond & Elaine5 months ago
It's your home and your comfort it's also a question of your daughter's health so I would write to the wife who made the reservation reminding her of the 'No smoking' rules and explain your reasons why, maybe emphasizing the health risk to your young family.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks R&E. I have written to the wife asking if anyone smoked inside or on the property and await a reply.
Anastasia
Anastasia5 months ago
I walked past a guests room and smelled smoke so I text him..... " I'm sorry this is a non smoking house " and he said that he wasn't smoking. What could I do
/Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
That's the question isn't it Anastasia? I'm wondering if anyone has had the experience of busting someone smoking and what happened. Did you take it any further? I don't think there is much to do unless you see them yourselves. The smoke smell clings to people so they may well be telling the truth.
Evelyn
Evelyn5 months ago
I added a rule of not throwing cigarette butts in the trash because it made the entire apartment smell like smoke. Let them know about your daughter's health condition. Maybe that will deter them from smoking or exhaling that last hit near your home.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Ugh, I just don't want it around. I certainly don't want him disposing of butts in the house but certainly don't want him littering outside either.
Alejandra
Alejandra5 months ago
LOL collective hosting wisdom! soooo true
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
This forum is such a great resource.Andrew
Andrew5 months ago
I think banning smokers outright would be somewhat problematic. You definitely don't want a heavy smoker like this guy - who probably trails his odor like Pepe le Pew - but someone who takes a casual puff while out and about but abstains in your home is unlikely to pose a problem.
If you can ascertain that smoking definitely occurred in your house, that should be sufficient grounds to kick the guests out. In the likelier event that they deny it and there's no evidence to prove otherwise, I think it's best to sit them down and have a conversation - especially if their booking is for more than just a night or two. The accommodation is clearly not a good fit for the husband, as nobody likes being banished to the street to smoke, and no guest is worth putting your daughter's health at risk. If I were in your situation I'd offer to grant them a full refund for the remaining days of their stay if they wanted to re-home to somewhere that allowed smoking.
I'd also suggest putting greater emphasis on smoking in your House Rules. I see it's in there, but while your rules are very entertaining they are also somewhat lengthy - less attentive readers will miss it altogether, and even the more attentive ones will fail to recognize how serious of an issue secondhand smoke would be for your family.
Reply Like 3 replies•2 likes Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks Andrew. I've written to the wife asking if anyone smoked in or near the house but don't have an answer yet. I'm really sensitive to it on the grounds that anyone who will break that rule will be casual about others. My House Rules are so imperfect. They were just this great long list but I rewrote them to try to emphasize what was critical (no smoking) and what was preferred but no big deal (parking in front of the neighbours' houses). Any constructive criticism is welcome.
Andrew
Andrew5 months ago
I like the approach of prioritizing the rules. Perhaps just give your smoking policy its own line, in stronger language, rather than lumping it in with flames and noise. "NO SMOKING of tobacco or any other substance anywhere on the property - indoors or outdoors."
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks, I'll make an adjustment!
Joyce
Joyce5 months ago
I've never caught wind of anyone smoking in my home, but I have had smokers stay with me. A few of them have been among my nicest guests, so I'm not personally inclined to ban all smokers from reservation parties.
The only issue I've had is once or twice, smokers have left their butts in my trash can, right inside the front door, and it stinks when I open the door. I quickly removed that trash, and being that it was summer time, opened windows to air the place out. I didn't have to say anything because the person whose name was on the reservation chided the smoker within my earshot on more than one occasion. He obviously read the rules, but the guest of the guest did not. In the end, the result was as needed, so I didn't have to do anything.
What I would consider doing in this case, though, is speak with them about your rules, particularly the fact that it endangers your child's health (a lot of people suddenly don't consider a rule arbitrary in nature when it affects a child) and offer them the opportunity to be re-homed (although I don't think I'd want to do this at my own expense by offering a refund since they agreed to house rules when they reserved). I haven't had to do anything this drastic yet, but I would like to think Airbnb would support you on this issue if the guest just can't tolerate whatever solution you offer since it is YOUR house and YOUR rules that were available (if not highlighted to the point a person who doesn't care to read could not ignore them) before booking.
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
Thanks Joyce, yes, if she says one of them smoked in the house they are out and I'll put in a claim for the security deposit. They are only here for three nights but I have guests arriving the day after who won't appreciate the aroma I'm sure. I'm nervous about it though, I like them personally and don't have total faith in Airbnb backing me up. If she says no, no one smoked, I'll believe that and mention my daughter's frailty so they are extra careful.
Renee
Renee5 months ago
If I have smokers, I say smoke in your car, walk to the park or around the block, but stay away until the smoke clears out of their hair & clothes.
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
That can take a while. In college one of my friends across the hall had a smoking roommate. We all loved her but the one thing that drove my friend crazy was when she came out of the shower and started drying herself off she said her towel always smelled of smoke, just from having been stored in the room and it ruined the being clean feeling.
Joyce
Joyce5 months ago
ewwww!
Jackie
Jackie5 months ago
It's difficult to be certain though isn't it? One of a couple that I hosted was a smoker, she abided by rules and went right out on the the street for her 'pre-breakfast fag' but I could still smell it on her when she came back in to the house. If a person smokes then it will linger on their clothes and so used clothes left in their room may make the room smell as if they have smoked there when they haven't.
On the other hand, some smokers believe rules are stupid and why shouldn't they smoke in your house? Luckily I haven't had any of these...yet
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Fiona
Fiona5 months ago
I guess that's why we have rules, out they go if that's the attitude and you catch them.
Fleur, Dan and kids
Fleur, Dan and kids5 months ago
i have thought about banning smokers but i've had quite a few stay and i must admit they really masked the smell well. I don't know how they did it but even the sheets didn't have a wiff of tobacco.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Deborah