[Theresa]

One of our rental properties had a long term (since the late 80s) tenant that smoked. We inherited her when we bought the property. We’ve washed the walls throughly and are priming the walls with an oil based primer to seal the nicotine as recommended. Do I need to sand after priming? Or can I just paint? Not looking to spend tons of money but going forward this is a smoke free unit. I don’t want it to smell like smoke. Any other frugal tips to rehab the unit?

PS: I should add we’ve replaced all flooring, window treatments, changed HVAC filters, primed ceilings. I’ve gone so far as to clean all the cabinets with Murphys and have bathtub and vanity on order.

[Patrice]

Wash the walls/ceilings with Odoban. It works. Carpets are going to need to be professionally cleaned or removed.

[Tricia]

Kilz, run a large air purifier all the time, leave bowls of vinegar in each room. Open windows.

[Kenna]

Kilz… It’s a great product. Check it out.

[Leighsa]

You don’t have to sand the walls after priming. However, I agree, ceiling and carpet should be rectified as well. I am a painter.

[Virginia]

I don’t think you’ll have to sand the primer. You will probably need to paint the ceilings, replace the window treatments and the carpet.

[Jo Jones]

Rent an ozone machine and let it run for maybe 2 days. You have to redo carpet and pad or the smell will stay.

I’d also prime the subfloor/concrete before laying new flooring.

[Karen]

If the odor lingers, go to coffee shops and ask the barista for the used grounds at the espresso machine. Take those large bags and leave them opened up in the closed rooms as long as possible. You’ll get some coffee scent but it will go away.

[Ellen]

Can’t get rid of that smell without Kilz and an Ozone generator. They aren’t expensive on Amazon.

[Anna]

We remodeled a house that was in that condition from a long term smoker. Sorry to say it but we had to replace all wall and ceiling drywall. We had to pull up all the carpet/pad and sand and seal the wood floor underneath.

The carpet and pad had to go to the dump.

[Lori]

I use a ozone cleaner, run it all day, windowsills, blinds, ceiling, trim even carpet strips will keep the odors of smoke.

Don’t forget all wood cabinets inside and out, often. Just cleaning isn’t enough for alot of this.

[Merrilyn]

We charge an extra security deposit if someone is a smoker knowing the clean up involved with the walls, rugs and ceilings.

Recently it was even necessary to have Service Master come in to clean the radiators, ceiling fixtures and cabinets to get rid of the smell.

We will no longer rent to smokers!

[Author]

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