Rental property still smells of smoke

[Chameleon2003]

I am helping someone who is living in their first rental property.

When we looked at it there was no smell but the windows were open.

They have now been living there for almost 3 months and in the main room when I first arrive I can smell something - I think it is a lingering smoke smell.

We cleaned all the cupboards and the carpets at the start of the rental period.

I'm assuming that it will need repainting and that it won't just eventually fade?

Any advice please?

The ventilation is not good as there is only a small window in that room. Once I have been there for a few minutes I can't notice it anymore but when I pick the tenant up in my car I can smell the same smell on them for a while.

They definitely aren't smoking and I don't think it's coming from the neighbours - it seems to be just lingering from the previous tenants.

Anyone?

It could be in the carpet. Give the carpet a sniff? If it smells get it steam cleaned.

We shampooed all the carpets at the start - is steam cleaning different/better?

Was it rented furnished? Could the smell be in the curtains or sofa?

@bigbluebus - partly furnished but only bed frames etc. Sofa and curtains are brand new.

So steam cleaning involves a specific machine. Professional cleaners usually do it. I'm afraid I have no idea about the difference between steam cleaning and shampooing but I guess if you put your nose in the carpet and it smells of smoke, it can't hurt to try the steam cleaning

Blinds, lampshades, curtains?

Wash the walls with sugar soap?

Firstly I would recommend airing the property as much as possible. When I moved into my flat there was a musty/stale odour as the flat had been empty for a while and the previous tenant wasnt the cleanest. For the first month, whenever I was at home I had all of the windows open which definitely helped get rid of most if the odour (and since I was painting anyway I needed the windows open to ventilate the paint smells. Even now if the windows have been closed for a few days (eg bad weather and long shifts at work) the musty smell returns so I try to make sure to open bedroom and lounge windows for at least 10 minutes minimum every morning to get the fresh air circulating through.

Any material furnishings - carpets, light shades, etc should be fully washed/shampooed.

Any wood should be cleaned and treated properly as if it hasn't been treated/sealed properly then it can absorb smells bandits really difficult to get the out.

The same for walls and ceilings - if the smell is smoke then it is very common for people to forget the ceiling is most likely where most of the nicotine smell has impregnated, especially as that is the most likely place to have been overlooked when the flat was cleaned/painted. I thought my ceilings were an off white until I painted my walls and realised the ceilings were actually meant to be white and they were just pretty grungy. I wiped them down with sugar soap and was horrified at how grim the water was when I was finished.

Also things like radiators are unexpected smell producers - because people often cant/dont take radiators etc off walls to give them a good scrub, the back (and/or inside) often doesnt get cleaned out and even something as simple as the dust that settles during summer gets warmed up and makes the place smell musty and stale.

A friend of mine is experiencing something similar. Her new place seems to smell like cigarettes. The old tenants confirm that they've been smoking previously, which is most likely the case... In your situation as well. They've just scheduled a professional upholstery and carpet cleaning and will have it done tomorrow. It is a steam cleaning procedure (whatever that means). They were informed that this procedure will most likely get rid of the smell. If you're interested, the company they'll be using is Magic PRO Cleaning UK - their phone number is 017 5338 6166 - I'll keep you updated and let you know the results they have with the company. You can reach them out for professional advice and see if they can actually assist you with that.

Hope you're all well and staying safe!

Thanks for the replies.
Looks like we have more work to do!
I wonder if the Landlord is obliged to sort this out?

As I don't like standing outside in the rain to 'ave a fag, my wife said "sort it out". So made enquiries, researched the interweb and found a product called febreeze air mist anti-tobacco heavy duty. It works so well I keep some in the car (fabric seats) too. It REALLY works.......and I can sit in the kitchen with the fag hand through the French doors and everyone is happy.

@Elisabeth87

A friend of mine is experiencing something similar. Her new place seems to smell like cigarettes. The old tenants confirm that they've been smoking previously, which is most likely the case... In your situation as well. They've just scheduled a professional upholstery and carpet cleaning and will have it done tomorrow. It is a steam cleaning procedure (whatever that means). They were informed that this procedure will most likely get rid of the smell. If you're interested, the company they'll be using is Magic PRO Cleaning UK - their phone number is 017 5338 6166 - I'll keep you updated and let you know the results they have with the company. You can reach them out for professional advice and see if they can actually assist you with that.

Hope you're all well and staying safe!

Hi!

Just a quick update

The smell of smoke is almost gone according to my friend. You can still smell the smoke when you put your nose in some furniture, however, the overall smell is almost gone. According to Teresa, my friend, the steam cleaning works well in deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery which she believes has helped with the elimination of the smell.

Hope this helps!

Take care!

Thanks for the update!