C
Clarity News Hub

Can landlords refuse smokers UK?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 23, 2026

In these days of the Human Rights Act, do landlords have any right to prevent their tenants from smoking in their rental property. Well the short answer is – yes.

Can you smoke in rented property UK?

Dealing with smokers can be a big problem when letting to tenants, as over half (53.6%) of smokers in the UK rent within private or social rented properties. You can include a clause in tenancy agreements stating that smoking is not permitted, while if the tenant asks for consent to smoke you can refuse.

Can I be evicted for smoking UK?

A judge might agree to evict a tenant for smoking on the premises, but he or she is more likely to consider this to be extremely harsh and refuse you a possession order.

Can you smoke in your own apartment UK?

Individual flats are exempt from the regulations. They don't prevent leaseholders from smoking in the privacy of their own homes. But they must not smoke in the internal communal areas — it's against the law.

Why do landlords not want smokers?

The potential damage caused by cigarette burns and the lingering cigarette smoke smell are often key reasons cited for landlords not wanting to allow smoking in their property. Damage from nicotine build up on walls and ceilings from smoke and ash are others.

41 related questions found

Can landlords say no to smokers?

In these days of the Human Rights Act, do landlords have any right to prevent their tenants from smoking in their rental property. Well the short answer is – yes.

Can I smoke in rented property?

For the majority of landlords, smoking indoors is a big no-no. In most tenancy agreements, smoking will be prohibited as the damage and issues it can cause are deemed too high. Nonetheless, this doesn't stop some tenants from flouting the rules and smoking indoors regardless.

How do I deal with my neighbors smoking?

Talk with your neighbors about your exposure to secondhand smoke. If you know where the smoke is coming from and feel comfortable talking with your neighbor about it, see if an agreement can be reached about where and when they smoke. Try to be calm, polite and offer solutions.

How can I stop my Neighbours smoking?

Use insulation padding and painter's tape to block vents and large gaps. Smoke may also drift in through air vents or gaps around your heating or air conditioner. You may be able to block the smoke by covering the gaps with insulation padding or painter's tape.

How do you tell if a house has been smoked in?

Usually, tenant smoking is easy to detect by the distinctive smell on walls, in carpeting and furniture, signs of ash or cigarette butts, and yellow or brown discoloration on walls, counters, cabinets, doors and trim. Even with camouflage, you can usually find enough signs to prove indoor smoking.

Can you smoke indoors in UK?

Smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces has been illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (pdf) since 2007 and in Scotland (pdf) since 2006. Smokefree laws have been extremely successful and popular, including among smokers.

Can prisoners smoke in UK prisons?

A partial ban, where smoking is prohibited inside prison buildings but prisoners can smoke in designated areas outside, strikes a better balance between the competing rights of the smoking and non-smoking prisoners.

How often do landlords have to paint UK?

Industry guidance indicates landlords should expect to decorate every three to five years.

How can you tell if someone is secretly smoking?

General Signs

The smell of cigarette smoke clings to fabrics and hair. You may also notice bad breath if someone is smoking cigarettes. You may see stains form on the teeth of a smoker in a short period of time.

Does smoking turn your walls yellow?

Whatever the case, if your home has been exposed to cigarette smoke, it has probably permeated into your walls and ceiling — causing some unpleasant smells and stains. Tar and nicotine create a yellowish discoloration on your walls, especially toward or on the ceiling (since smoke rises — thanks, science).

How long does third hand smoke last in a house?

Thirdhand smoke can linger indoors for a long time – months to years. People can be exposed to thirdhand smoke by touching contaminated surfaces (absorption through the skin), by eating contaminated objects or dust, and by breathing in air and re-suspended thirdhand smoke components. 2018/10/15. doi: 10.1016/j.

Can you complain about Neighbours smoking UK?

If you are affected by smoke, smell or noise nuisance from neighbours or nearby industry, you can ask your local authority to take action – or you can take action yourself – under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA).

Can cigarette smoke go through walls?

Yes, smoke can travel through walls…

According to TobaccoFreeCA, smoke can travel through walls. However, even though cigarette smoke seeps into walls, floors and ceilings, when it travels it tends to act in a similar way to water – it takes the easiest and fastest route.

Is secondhand smoke harmful?

There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Is secondhand smoke worse than smoking?

Side-stream smoke is more toxic than mainstream smoke, as it has much higher concentrations of cancer-causing substances. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Just 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can cause heart damage similar to that of an everyday smoker.

Does cigarette smoke travel up or down?

Tobacco smoke inside a room tends to hang in mid-air rather than disperse. Hot smoke rises, but tobacco smoke cools rapidly, which stops its upward climb. Since the smoke is heavier than the air, the smoke starts to descend.

How far away from cigarette smoke is safe?

The results were clear: The closer you are to an outdoor smoker, the higher your risk of exposure. "A typical cigarette lasts about 10 minutes," Klepeis said. "We found that if you're within two feet downwind of a smoker, you may be exposed to pollutant concentrations that exceed 500 micrograms of PM2.

Is 3rd hand smoke?

Thirdhand smoke is residual — or leftover — nicotine and other chemicals that remain on clothing and surfaces after someone smokes in the area. Dangerous residue from tobacco smoke sticks to carpets, walls and other surfaces after the smoke clears.

Can landlord prohibit smoking Quebec?

In Québec, if a landlord decides to forbid the use of tobacco in the units of his/her building, he/she can do it. Under the practice of the Régie du logement, it is up to the landlord to impose this decision of he/she so desires, and this cannot be opposed.

Can a landlord say no smoking outside in Ontario?

Landlords in Ontario have the right to ban smoking in all or part of a building, including indoor units and outdoor patios and balconies. While they cannot change current tenancy agreements, landlords can include a non-smoking clause in new agreements.