Why outdoor smoking ends up indoors

A rooftop deck in LoHi is often reached through a small stair tower or a sliding door from the top bedroom. When a guest smokes right outside that door, the warm house and the open door create a draft that pulls smoke inside. The smell lands on the curtains, the bedding and the cushions nearest the door, and the top floor of a tall townhome is also where warm air collects.

Ash and butts left in planters, cushions on deck furniture and outdoor rugs hold their own smell, which then drifts in every time the door opens. Even a guest who followed a rule to smoke only outside can leave the unit smelling of smoke if the rule did not say where on the deck and with the door closed.

Condo buildings and some townhome associations around LoHi have their own rules about smoking on balconies and roofs, which may be stricter than a host's house rules.

Checkout checks after a smoking guest

  • Look for butts in planters, gutters, drains and under deck furniture, and photograph them before cleaning.
  • Smell the deck cushions, outdoor rug and umbrella fabric close up.
  • Check the curtains and bedding nearest the deck door before they go in the laundry.
  • Close the deck door for an hour and smell the top floor again.
  • Check the HOA or building rules on balcony and rooftop smoking for this address.
  • Note the wind direction and whether a neighbor's deck could be the source.

Choosing a rule for your listing

  • IfThe building or HOA bans smoking on balconies or roofsThenYour listing should ban it too and say so plainly, with the reason.
  • IfSmoking is allowed outdoors and you want to permit itThenName a specific spot away from doors and vents, provide a lidded ashtray, and ask guests to keep the door closed while smoking.
  • IfYou want no smoke odor risk at allThenBan smoking of any kind anywhere on the property, including vaping and cannabis, and state any cleaning fee your platform allows.
  • IfNeighbors smoke on adjacent decksThenMention it honestly in the listing so guests sensitive to smoke can decide before booking.

Common questions

Can I charge a guest for smoke odor from the deck?

That depends on your house rules and the platform's damage policy. Clear rules, dated photos and a record of cleaning costs make a claim easier to review.

General information for LoHi, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.