Smoking tenants

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Have you had anyone else in that might be able to tell you if it still smells like smoke? I tend to get smells "stuck" in my head even if they aren't there anymore.

[mcmel]

Let it air out for a few days?

I hope you kept their deposit.

[lola]

You could try calling around to cleaning companies in your area and seeing if any of them have a ionizer that they rent out. You could also buy one (amazon has them). If you've painted and replaced all carpets, this is probably your next best step.

[joenali]

I bet if she still smells it, other people can too. It's so hard to get rid of smoke smell. What about a professional cleaning company like Service Master??

www.servicemaster.com/

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Did you repaint with Kilz?

[mcmel]

Damn. I'm sorry.

[MixedBerryJam]

A couple of powerful fans, the industrial kind you can rent from home depot, windows open night-and-day. What other soft surfaces are there! I can't believe replacing the damn carpet didn't take care of it! Are the tenants at least losing their security deposit?

Re: those blower fans ... Theyreally work! I started a small fire in a hotel room once and they had to empty the wing for one night, but we were all back inour rooms the next day. They even let me stay!

[shopgirl07]

Oh I'd be so pissed! Sorry, no suggestions.

[lola]

Also assuming you've replaced the HVAC filter? Maybe also look into having the ducts cleaned out. They get super dusty, and if that dust now is full of cig ash, then it'll just keep flowing back into the unit whenever you run the HVAC system.

Really, though, try the ionizer. I'm a landlord, and it's by far the best tool for removing smoke smell.

[TrickyBob]

Did you wash down all windows and window treatments?

[Redpoppy]

Our neighboring condo unit had a fuel oil spill in their basement and we had overwhelming odor from it. Service master brought out this massive filtering blower thing (technical term) and the odor was gone for the most part in a few days.