For Landlords

Read the full text of a report on tenant demand

By making your properties smoke-free, you can:

• save money by reducing the need for repairs
• reduce potential legal liability
• eliminate the leading cause of residential fires
• reduce conflicts among tenants
• eliminate exposure to a Class A carcinogen

How to make your properties smoke-free

No-smoking policies are largely self-enforcing. Once the rule is established, you are likely to attract tenants who want to live in a smoke-free environment. Use the no-smoking lease addendum provided here and having tenants sign when leases come up for renewal or when a new tenant moves in. Make sure to notify tenants of the lease change using the sample letter to residents.

To make implementing and enforcing your no-smoking rule easier:

• post “no smoking” signs. Signs are available at http://www.maclearinghouse.org/.
• clean up cigarette butts and remove ashtrays
• tell tenants why you have a no-smoking rule
• have tenants tell their guests about the no-smoking rule
• respond quickly and consistently to potential violations
• tell tenants that they will be held financially responsible for violating the rule

Use the following tools to help:

Landlord's Guide (PDF)- complete guide for landlords wanting to make their buildings smoke-free

Letter to Residents (PDF)- sample letter notifying tentants of lease and rule changes

No-smoking in Common Areas Rule Change (PDF)- sample notice of rule change

No-smoking Lease Addendum (PDF)

For more information on the benefits of going smoke-free and how to make your building smoke-free, contact the Massachusetts Smoke-Free Housing Project at (877) 830-8795.

The Massachusetts Smoke-Free Housing Project is an initiative of the Public Health Advocacy Institute and is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.