June 2009
TO: Owners of Two-Family & Three-Family Houses
FROM: Ted Schiele, Tobacco Free Tompkins
RE: Smoke-free Apartments
Attract tenants, save money! Smoke-free apartments are the smart move in today’s market.
List now at our free online directory. Not yet smoke-free? We can help you make the change.
Smoke-free apartments are The Smart Move for landlords and tenants.
- Save money in turn-over costs. Landlords report wallboard saturated with tobacco smoke, ruined carpets, and need for multiple coats of BIN to make a unit habitable after a smoker moves out.
- Attract tenants. National studies show that a majority of renters prefer smoke-free housing. Locally, our most recent survey shows that 92% of adult residents don’t allow smoking in their home, and 88% of renters say smoking in their building should be restricted or not allowed at all.
- Protect health. Secondhand tobacco smoke is a Class A carcinogen, the same rating as asbestos and radon. This is a serious health hazard, especially for children, people with asthma, and women who are pregnant.
- Reduce fire risk. Cigarettes are still a major cause of house fires. Fire-safe cigarettes may be a state law, but that does not mean a smoker in your building has fire-safe cigarettes, or is smoking a cigarette “safely.”
Free listings, Free signs!
An online directory of local smoke-free rental housing is maintained by Tobacco Free Tompkins. There is no charge to be included. Visit www.tompkins-co.org/tobaccofree, and click on the Smoke-free Apartments link. To date, over 40 properties are listed by eight property owners.
T-Free Zone signs are fast becoming a standard for smoke-free areas throughout Tompkins County. We will provide free signs for your smoke-free building and property. Details are included in this mailing.
Free Lowes Gift card
Click to download the form to register your smoke-free apartments now! A $50 Lowes gift card will go to the first 16 owners to register. All registrations received by August 31 will be entered in a drawing for one, $200 gift card to Lowes. Download details that were included in this mailing (PDF, 766K).
Smoke-free Apartments:
The Smart Move for landlords and tenants.
For more information, contact me at 607-274-6712 or tschiele@tompkins-co.org.