Buying Smokers House - Cleaning Options

welshbookworm

I smoke and I was given a sofa by a friend who smoked a lot more than me.
The sofa stank! To the level I threw it out!
I tried every thing but couldn't get rid of the smell.

lisyloo

I'm selling a flat that was heavily smoked in.
We threw away the carpets and curtains and had a coat of paint applied to all the walls. This cost us about £2K but we got full asking price.


I think you should factor in replacement into your price OR ask the seller to do it. We went for neutral and inexpensive so you might be better off just doing this yourself as you can then have what you want.


I have quite a few of my in-laws belongings in my house and it's amazong how the smell lingers even of a wood chest of drawers. Everything smells even many months after.


Horrible habit but unfortunately my FIL was addicted.

Davesnave

BarryBlue wrote: »

What is annoying is that it is a waste of everyone's time to turn up for such a viewing. Estate agents should make it clear prior to viewing that a property is smoke-tainted so that you can eliminate it from your search straight away.

It might be a waste of your time and some other people's time, but it wouldn't necessarily be a waste of everyone's time.


Anyway, it's most unlikely that someone being paid to advertise a property would deliberately down-sell it.

CarbonImage

We got an ex-smoker's house last year. Fully re-plastered and painted, new carpets, curtains, and all furnishings and we could still smell it for about 8 months after moving in.

The bathroom was the worst as the ceiling would 'bleed' tar through the fresh paint.

However we started leaving a window cracked permanently in every room and the smell has now pretty much gone.

I would definitely be prepared for it to stick around for a while and judge your appetite for the house accordingly. If we'd known how bad it was going to be we definitely would have thought twice, however probably still would've bought the house.

lisyloo

I also had the pleasure of cleaning heavy smokers house.
I couldn't work out why the windows were smearing every time I tried to clean them.
We had to scrub the glass and also INSIDE of the shower screen.


It's everywhere, so unless you're getting a bargain or willing to deep clean eveything then I'd say if it bothers you don't buy the house.


We sold ours straightaway with no issue.

Kat1e

Thanks everyone for your coments and advice. I’m not critical about it having been smoked in as everyone is entitled to do what they want in their own home and it is my choice as to whether I buy it or not. It was just a case of does the smell eventually go or could I get it professionally cleaned with 100% guaranteed ordour removal as stated by this company. I’ve asked for a quote so will let you know the outcome. Thanks again for some pretty good advice ��

lookstraightahead

I personally wouldn't buy it based on the fact that I know it would stay in my nose forever and I would become paranoid .

worried_jim

Just start smoking yourself, will be easier and cheaper!

AdrianC

Of course it doesn't stay forever. It's a safe bet that just about any property pre-70s, and certainly anything pre-60s, has been fairly heavily smoked in at some time. Yet they don't all stink of smoke right up until the minute they get demolished...

[Deleted User]

You really do need a cleaning product that will break down the tar. Vinegar and bicarb of soda are good and inexpensive.