Property Owners and Managers – Don’t Let Smoking and Vaping Haunt Your Property This Halloween
As Halloween approaches, property managers and owners across New Mexico are preparing for ghostly decorations and trick-or-treaters. But nothing is spookier than the hidden, costly hazards of allowing smoking and vaping in your multi-unit properties.
From lingering tobacco odors that haunt vacant units to the frightening financial toll of fire damage, failing to implement a smoke and vape-free policy can turn property management into a nightmare. Here is why going smoke and vape-free is the best way to ward off real-life property horror stories this season.
The Real Horrors of Unrestricted Smoking and Vaping
Ghostly Turnover Costs That Burn Your Budget
Restoring a unit after a smoking tenant moves out is scary. Tobacco smoke infiltrates walls, carpets, fixtures, and ductwork. On average, turning over a smoking or vaping unit can cost up to $3,500 or more in deep cleaning, repainting, and floor replacement—nearly double or triple the cost of a standard turnover.
The Terrifying Risk of Residential Fires
Smoking-related fires remain one of the leading causes of residential fire deaths in the United States and cause hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage every year. A single lit cigarette or improper disposal can endanger your entire building and community in minutes.
Creeping Health Hazards for Neighbors
Secondhand smoke and vape aerosols easily travel between units through shared ventilation, electrical outlets, and plumbing gaps. Sealing these gaps is costly and rarely effective, leaving neighboring families, children, and elderly residents exposed to hazardous chemicals.
Terrifying Lease Disputes and Vacancy Rates
The vast majority of renters including non-smokers, families, and former smokers prefer smoke and vape-free environments. Properties that allow smoking often face higher tenant turnover, lower resale values, and unnecessary resident disputes over drifting.
Treat Your Property to a Smoke-Free Certification
The good news? You don’t need a magic spell to protect your investment. The Apartment Association of New Mexico (AANM), in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health, offers free technical support and guidance through the Smoke-Free at Home NM initiative.
Why get certified?
Free Marketing: Listed properties gain visibility on the official Smoke-Free Rental Property Map.
Lower Operating Expenses: Significantly reduce maintenance and renovation costs on future move-outs.
Insurance Discounts: Many insurance providers offer premium credits or reduced rates for properties with enforced.
Legal and Enforceable: Smoke and vape-free policies are legal, non-discriminatory, and fully supported by HUD guidelines.
How to Get Started Today
Transitioning your property to a smoke and vape-free environment is straightforward:
Consult the Experts: Reach out to the AANM Smoke-Free team for information on getting started, staff training, implementation kits, and tenant education workshops.
Update Your Leases: Implement clear, written lease addendums banning smoking and vaping anywhere on the premises or only in designated areas.
Get Certified: Claim your spot on the New Mexico Smoke-Free Map to attract health-conscious tenants looking for a clean home.
Don’t let preventable damage and fire risks haunt your properties. Contact Smoke Free at Home NM today at 505-407-2839 or email Jennifer@aanm.org to get certified!