Do landlords have the right to refuse smokers?
Cigarette smoke can affect the health and enjoyment of other tenants if you have a multi-unit property. It can also get expensive for landlords when we need to prepare a unit for new tenants. Years of smoke can hang in the fibres of your flooring, it will yellow walls and ceilings, which will cost plenty to replace and paint. Many landlords feel frustration due to tenants smoking in their units, but can anything be done to curb it.
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) does not address smoking. You can however put a clause in your lease stating smoking is not allowed in the unit. But who’s to say that your renters will adhere to this stipulation in the lease? Certainly, scheduled visits to the unit may show signs of an indoor smoker. How do you get him or her to stop and what can you do if they won’t?
