General (main property discussion here) - smokers

I have nothing against smokers in general, but am tempted to only allow non-smokers rent from me following some stories from a friend. he was pointing out that heavy smokers could actually be causing damage to my property - smells, discolouration, burn marks... which are all totally avoidable by taking on non-smokers.

is there anything legally to stop me discriminating? it's not difficult to advertise for non-smokers of course (and for them to lie) but if i include it in the AST would it be enforceable?

cheers

John

Well I have heard of this being done before, so therefore it may not be illegal. but do you really want to limit your target market in such a way. You could have a 3 bed room place that will not be rented out because of the possible tenants there could be one among the group. Also is it common in your area?

I've footed bills for burn marks in the past. I could have left them , sure but they are a sure fire way for a flat to look tatty.

Would be great if it was enforcable, I wouldn't mind risking not filling a flat, it would be short-lived anyway. Then again, you have to bear in mind the type of tenant.

Within the professional tenant market, you will find supply, students are students and will do what they want so there will be supply but non-compliance, and DSS are somewhere in between.

Go for it, John The Enforcer.

Yeah, it's an awkward one. My props are cheap, high-yielders, so maybe I would be limiting my market somewhat.

What's the proportion of adults that smoke these days? Still significant I expect.

John

Letting to smokers can be an effective way of ensuring fewer voids - providing, of course, it's a careful smoker who doesn't burn your house down discarding a butt! Ditto letting to tenants with cats. I did the latter and was able to find someone very quickly. She paid a bigger deposit and agreed in writing to remove the catflap and replace the original door panel and meet any cleaning bills at the end of her tenancy for the privilege of having moggies at my BTL. As lots of people won't let to either smokers or animal owners, this could be regarded as an opportunity.

liz, good point. i had never thought of that before but yeah sounds a good idea. i might just give that a try when next looking for a tenant.

tom

yes, very good angle, Liz!

where can I advertise for cat loving tenants do you think?!

cheers

John