Marijuana’s scent is unmistakable, and while it might seem harmless, it can do more damage to your property than you’d think.
As a rental owner or property manager, that lingering odor can hurt your business in ways you might not expect. Cleaning up and getting rid of the smell isn’t enough—you also need to consider the fact that smells like marijuana can impact the wider community, and your reputation, making people wonder if your property attracts the wrong crowd.
Even in regions where marijuana is legal, the stigma of smoke damage is very real. Properties exposed to smoking, including marijuana, can lose up to 35-40% of their market value. Prospective buyers and renters remain wary of the health risks of third-hand smoke residue, which seeps into carpets, drapes, and walls.
That’s where marijuana smoke detectors come in. Installing these detectors shouldn’t be a ‘big brother’ attempting to monitor guests' every move in your rental—instead, it’s about protecting your investment. In this blog, we’ll take a look at how these detectors work, the impact of smoke damage on your property, and why investing in prevention is key to keeping your rental profitable and appealing.
A common misconception is that marijuana smoke won’t have the same impact on your soft furnishings and third-hand smoke as cigarettes. In reality, cannabis leaves behind residue similar to tobacco smoke, and over time, studies suggest this can stick to your surfaces, collect in dust, and absorb into materials.
The impact of smoking marijuana inside a property also includes:
Marijuana smoke contains tar and resin that can stick to walls, ceilings, and furniture. Over time, this can lead to discoloration, especially on lighter surfaces.
Cleaning these stains can be challenging, often requiring professional services or repainting. According to a report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the residues from smoke can significantly alter indoor air quality, further complicating cleanup efforts.
As mentioned, the distinct smell of marijuana can permeate carpets, upholstery, and even wooden furniture, making it notoriously difficult to eliminate.
Once smoke seeps into soft surfaces, deep cleaning or replacements may be necessary to rid the space of the odor fully. Residual smoke can linger for months, impacting indoor air quality and creating unpleasant environments for future guests.
HVAC systems can also circulate marijuana smoke, embedding the smell in hidden areas like air ducts. This can increase maintenance costs, including replacing filters or hiring professionals for extensive cleaning. Estimates suggest that removing smoke odors can cost anywhere between $200 and $1,000, depending on the extent of the damage.
The presence of cigarette and marijuana smoke, whether through odor or visible damage, can deter future guests. Negative reviews about unpleasant smells or cleanliness can lead to lower occupancy rates. A survey conducted by Airbnb revealed that 68% of guests are less likely to book a rental again if they detect strong odors during their stay.
Investing in marijuana smoke detectors should be a part of your strategy for protecting your short-term rental from potential damage.
Here’s how these devices can make a difference:
As a property manager or short-term rental owner, ensuring a smoke-free environment while respecting guest privacy is essential.
To maintain compliance with the policies of online travel agencies like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, it’s important to use monitoring technology that upholds privacy standards while helping you enforce house rules, such as no-smoking policies.
To protect both your property and your guests’ privacy, choose monitoring devices that detect specific activities—like smoking—without capturing personal information.
The best solutions provide alerts for rule violations without using intrusive methods such as audio or video recording. This allows you to stay informed without compromising guest trust or violating their privacy.
For instance, Airbnb's policy explicitly prohibits any surveillance devices in private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms. Devices that monitor environmental factors, such as smoke levels or air quality, help you stay compliant with these rules while safeguarding your property from damage. Such technologies ensure privacy while giving hosts the ability to address issues proactively, without overstepping boundaries.
By using non-invasive, privacy-friendly detectors, you can protect your property, stay within OTA guidelines, and provide a respectful, comfortable experience for your guests.
Minut is a privacy-safe property insights platform that provides property managers and rental owners with a 360-degree view of their property—without cameras or microphones.
In addition to detecting marijuana and cigarette smoke, Minut’s environmental sensors also monitor noise, occupancy, temperature, and humidity. Together, these features help property managers and rental owners maintain a safe, comfortable, and compliant property. When smoking is detected or excessive noise and temperature thresholds are breached, Minut sends instant alerts to your device, allowing your team to proactively manage the situation and protect your property.
When 6PM Hospitality Partners faced challenges monitoring Hilton Hotel rooms without violating guest privacy, the team turned to Minut. By using Minut’s real-time smoke, noise, and occupancy sensors, the team was able to reduce damage, enforce no-smoking policies, and minimize guest complaints—without compromising privacy.
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"Minut has been instrumental in quickly identifying smoking incidents, allowing us to take immediate action and helping us reduce the associated costs. As a brand, we want our partner hotels to give a 5-star experience, and Minut helps us to ensure that."
Investing in a marijuana smoke detector is a no-brainer for safeguarding your short-term rental properties. Sensors like Minut not only prevent costly smoke damage but also reduce disputes and ensure a high-quality experience for your guests. By implementing these devices, you are taking a proactive step towards ensuring the longevity of your property, maintaining compliance with local regulations, and enhancing your property's reputation.
Instead of waiting for the issues to arise, invest in a device early and deter your guests from anti-social behaviors that may lead to property damage, negative reviews, and neighbor complaints.
Discover why over 50,000 property managers around the world trust Minut to protect their properties with real-time, actionable insigths. Whether you have 1 or 1000 properties, we have a plan that will work for you.
