Smoke-free housing effort keeps gaining momentum
JANESVILLE — A countywide effort to make multiunit apartment buildings smoke-free is making progress.
One property management company recently converted its Janesville complexes to smoke-free, and other landlords are interested in making the switch, said DeeDee Williams, prevention specialist with Rock County Youth2Youth.
Williams has been researching apartment complexes with at least four units and calling landlords to find out if smoking is allowed in them. If it is, she's asked if they would be willing to listen to the benefits of becoming smoke free.
"I've had a really good response," she said. "There's been very few that said we're not interested."
Some already were making plans to go smoke free, and Williams offered assistance for signs and paperwork.
Of the 62 multi-unit complexes identified in Rock County, Williams was able to make contact with 22. All of them allowed smoking, except for one complex where some units were smoke-free.
A statement from Millennium Professional Management, which manages Janesville properties that recently went smoke free, said the switch was made for several reasons, including economics, fire safety and the preference of residents.
The county effort is part of a $450,000 federal grant the Transform Rock County Coalition received last year to promote physical activity, healthy food systems and smoke-free living. Youth2Youth, a tobacco control/prevention coalition in Rock County, is collaborating with the Rock County Health Department.
The first thing apartment managers worry about is whether it's legal to make their buildings smoke-free, said Debbie Fischer, director of Youth2Youth. It is, she said.
"We're just here to be a resource to them and kind of educate them," she said.
The health benefits of a smoke-free environment are clear, she said. It has made a tremendous difference in workplaces and businesses, she said, but many people still are exposed to smoke in their living spaces. Benefits to the landlord include:
-- Reduced fire risk, which can cut insurance premiums.
-- Easier cleaning after tenants move out, which saves time and money. The Millennium Professional Management statement said owners estimate it costs $500 to $8,000 more to rehab a smoker's unit versus a smoke-free unit.
-- Residents surveyed prefer it. Seventy-two percent of renters in buildings that allow smoking, but keep their units smoke-free, would prefer nonsmoking buildings, according to a 2012 survey of Wisconsin renters by the Center for Urban Initiatives & Research.
Building can go smoke free on different levels, Fischer said. Smoking might be prohibited only inside apartment units, or in the units and in common areas or the entire property.
The 131 public housing units in Beloit started going smoke free in 2011 and will be fully converted by November 2013, public housing coordinator Cindy Holmes said.
Feb 8, 2013 at 10:50 p.m.
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We are Landlords and all of our rental properties are smoke free. The smell never really comes out of the woodwork, walls, and whatever else it permeates. Not only does smoking create a high risk fire hazard, it often leaves damage caused by dropped cigarettes (Burned carpet and linoleum) complete with a nice yellow film on the walls, drapery, and cabinets. The way I see it, if you don't like my rules, don't live in my house. Go get yourself a mortgage, not a rental agreement.
Feb 7, 2013 at 4:07 p.m.
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As a landlord (yes, it is thankless at times) we do not allow smoking in our units. If there is evidence of it, then money is taken from the security deposit to get the apartment clean and ready for the next family. I don't mind them smoking outside as long as the buts are cleaned up. I see nothing wrong with trying to keep MY property clean and safe.
Feb 7, 2013 at 12:10 p.m.
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Will they allow e-cigarettes?
Feb 7, 2013 at 12:06 p.m.
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Maybe you should just keep the deposit if you have to clean it. Just like you would do if one of your tennants operated a diesel engine in the room or ruined the carpet. Remember, when you rent to someone,it is there home. Maybe you shouldn't rent to people who are too obese...they could cause undue stress on the flooring. Sure glad my rental days are long over. But it's only a matter of time before they start banning smoking in private homes. They are already trying to do so in California.
Feb 7, 2013 at 11:42 a.m.
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anotheropinion, I do not have a concern what poeple do in their "OWN HOME". All but one of my rental units are smoke free, and when that home is vacated it will cost plenty for smoke abatement. When they moved in it was new, but with 2 chain smokers living there it just reeks of cigarettes. Feel sorry for the 2 babies that have to breath that pollution.
Feb 7, 2013 at 10:50 a.m.
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While where at it, let's regulate cooking smells too. Nothing worse than having to put up with someone's stinky food odors permeating the common areas of an appartment building. BBQ grills too...not only does your food stink but charcoal fumes are cancer causing agents (look it up). Fireplaces also, wood smoke is a known carcinogen...and diesel fumes, you truck drivers have to stop stinking up my air. Bad body odor too. Let's make people practice good bathing habits. Your BO makes me physically SICK and lingers long after you leave the hallway. Or maybe we could just have a little more tolerance for what people do in the privacy of their own home for pete's sake!
Feb 7, 2013 at 10:03 a.m.
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Seems a bit to too much buti t is the owners building and if he wants to do this so be it. It would be a pleasant place to live and if you don't want this then don't move in.
EMMO- these legal smokers do NOT own this home. Buy your own then.
Seems less idiots would burn down your property smoking in bed.
Feb 7, 2013 at 9:03 a.m.
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EMMO -- start chewing..... Most office rules dont cover it, theres no smoke and most of the arguements made by the public about second hand smoke dont exist. They cant inhale spit...
Feb 7, 2013 at 8:39 a.m.
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Use to be, there was nothing I liked better than a cup of coffee and a smoke, early in the morning. Nothing worse in this world, than an ex-smoker(me). There will always be landlords that are smokers, you just have to search them out. The world is shrinking for the smoking population, that's sad because its their world too,but...(don't ya hate that but...) but, health wise I can't argue for ya all, I'm living proof(key word, living). Wish all you smokers well, and non-smokers, enjoy the fresh air.
Feb 7, 2013 at 8:20 a.m.
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Great decision, wartnik.
Feb 7, 2013 at 7:59 a.m.
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Years ago I lived in a four-plex, and the woman across the back hall smoked so much that I had to put towels at the bottom of that door (fortunately, it was not the door to outside but only to the basement), but that didn't really help because it came through the building ventilation system, also. EMMO, if you need to light up, don't take everyone else down with you. If I were a landlord (a thankless proposition in my book), the properties would be smoke free including corner to corner of the property for all tenants and visitors. It would be posted on the building, written in the ad, written in the lease, and would be cause to start eviction proceedings if smoking was discovered. Smokers think they can hide the smell because they themselves can no longer smell it. It permeates EVERYTHING. My mom gave us "paper" for our first wedding anniversary, and we had to throw it all out because it had absorbed so much smoke smell from just being in her house a few days. YOU'RE NOT KIDDING ANYONE with air freshener (or gum or showers).
Feb 7, 2013 at 7:31 a.m.
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If one needs to have a smoke that bad go out side like employees have to in this county. Yes it is cold outside but that is the reality of having to smoke and pass that disgusting smell unto those of us who does not smoke. Smokers get a life and kick the habit. you will be amazed how family and friends will will love you that much more. yes I smoked as a young man but when my son was born I gave that up so he could have a smoke free air to breath. stop smoking for the sake of your family.
Feb 7, 2013 at 7:11 a.m.
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It's about time!!! This is great news, there's nothing worse than having to breathe in smokers pollution from the privacy of your own home. Kudos to Millennium for leading the way!!
Feb 6, 2013 at 8:50 p.m.
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admirable goal to go smokeless. As long as the landlord/owner has the ability to make their own decision to do so. Many have long time tenants who are smokers who respect the property and pay on time. The properties I have are going non smoking when the current tenant leaves and the unit needs a thorough cleaning and refurbishing. You can't eliminate all evidence of smoke but you can come close (Kilz paint is a charm). With the cost of smokes these days it often comes down to paying the rent or smokes and the addiction eventually wins.
Feb 6, 2013 at 8:37 p.m.
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Smoking is not a protected class under any discrimination law. Smoking damages property and contributes to poor health outcomes of non-smokers in the same home, and also wherever that smoke seeps to. Even thorough cleaning cannot eliminate all cigarette smoke smell. I'm sorry you feel victimized, but the rest of us are pretty sick and tired of putting up with your disgusting addiction.
Feb 6, 2013 at 6:48 p.m.
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So connim, you are one of the 80% of the population who wants to force your non-smoking bias on everyone else?
In case you haven't noticed, the other 20% who smoke still pay taxes and are responsible citizens too.
You can easily find non-smoking places to gather with your biased friends...all restaurants and bars, all public places, etc.
Now you want to intrude on legal smokers homes too?
Feb 6, 2013 at 6:28 p.m.
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LOVE THE IDEA!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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