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 property smoke-free
The procedure of how to put a new rule into place is outlined in your condominium’s master deed and declaration of trust, which together govern how the condominium operates.
Condominium trustees typically already have authority to establish common area rules, so can make common areas smoke-free right away. Establishing a smoke-free rule for the individual units, however, will require a vote of the unit owners.
While this Guide provides sample legal documents and advice for going smoke-free, readers should consult with an attorney about the specifics of their condominium documents and facts.
Use the following tools to help:
Condo Guide (PDF); Condo Guide (Word)
Sample Bylaw Amendment (PDF); Sample Bylaw Amendment (Word)
Sample Bylaw Amendment with Grandfathered Units (PDF)
Sample Bylaw Amendment with Grandfathered Units (Word)
Sample Letter proposing No Smoking Rule (PDF)
Sample Letter proposing No Smoking Rule (Word)
Sample No Smoking Rule for Common Areas (PDF)
Sample No Smoking Rule for Common Areas (Word)
Sample Notice of No Smoking Rule for Common Areas (PDF)
Sample Notice of No Smoking Rule for Common Areas (Word)
Sample Notice of Rule Change for Individual Units and Common Areas (PDF)
Sample Notice of Rule Change for Individual Units and Common Areas (Word)
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.
