4 ms·

You could tell people that the septic system is not designed for large amounts of paper and is prone to clogging. Tell them that if that happens, there will be

You could tell people that the septic system is not designed for large amounts of paper and is prone to clogging. Tell them that if that happens, there will be a pricey charge for a plumber to come out. You’re scaring them into being mindful without the negative taste of charging for use of toilet paper. How do you ban smoking outside? Are you on property keeping tabs on your guests every move?

nate_meurer 8y ago
I have a nose like a bloodhound. If someone has been smoking in the house, there is no way to hide it from me. My cleaning lady is also somewhat of a detective and has been known to go through the trash if she thinks rules have been broken. Smoking outside is a different problem. Until recently I didn't forbid it, but earlier this year I found cigarette butts in the brush below the deck, along with a burn mark on the dining table and cigarettes in the trash. That was from a large group of college aged boys. In normal dry conditions, Colorado mountain country is like a big pile of kindling just waiting for some dumbass to toss a cigarette butt into the pine needles and set the town ablaze. This incident really freaked me out. I took their entire security deposit, and added rules and a stern warning to my listing. At some point I'll install a camera outside to watch the deck and back yard, because I know it will happen again.
- leetcrew 8y ago
  > I took their entire security deposit is this legal? I thought you were only allowed to deduct actual damage / cost of repairs from a security deposit, not punitive charges.
  - sharkmerry 8y ago
    they did mention there was a burn mark on the dining room table. not sure how that happened when smoking outside but that is damages
    - nate_meurer 8y ago
      Correct, plus a couple other damaged items. The burn on the table was actually from a joint, not a cigarette. I can tell as soon as I walk into the house what was smoked and how much. Marijuana, tobacco, pot rolled into cigarillos... if I look in the trash to confirm, I'm always right. Marijuana smoke smell dissipates fully in a few days, and guests don't seem to mind a little left over. But tobacco smoke never goes away. It even soaks into the deck wood outside, so I can often tell if there was a heavy outdoor smoker there even if they leave no butts behind. I explicitly allowed marijuana smoking inside the house up until then as a way to support legalization, and because the smoke is much more tame. But then it occurred to me: people can vape. I'm not a pot user so I guess I'm a little behind. So now, no more smoking. But yeah, if someone burns anything in my house by leaving a live fucking coal on it, they're pretty much guaranteed to lose their security deposit. Shouldn't be too difficult. Aside from that, I go to great lengths to give all my guests' money back. If someone just lets me know that they broke something, I never charge them for it. I suppose I'd have to charge for things like broken windows, but that hasn't happened yet.

nate_meurer 8y ago

I have a nose like a bloodhound. If someone has been smoking in the house, there is no way to hide it from me. My cleaning lady is also somewhat of a detective and has been known to go through the trash if she thinks rules have been broken. Smoking outside is a different problem. Until recently I didn't forbid it, but earlier this year I found cigarette butts in the brush below the deck, along with a burn mark on the dining table and cigarettes in the trash. That was from a large group of college aged boys. In normal dry conditions, Colorado mountain country is like a big pile of kindling just waiting for some dumbass to toss a cigarette butt into the pine needles and set the town ablaze. This incident really freaked me out. I took their entire security deposit, and added rules and a stern warning to my listing. At some point I'll install a camera outside to watch the deck and back yard, because I know it will happen again.

leetcrew 8y ago
> I took their entire security deposit is this legal? I thought you were only allowed to deduct actual damage / cost of repairs from a security deposit, not punitive charges.
- sharkmerry 8y ago
  they did mention there was a burn mark on the dining room table. not sure how that happened when smoking outside but that is damages
  - nate_meurer 8y ago
    Correct, plus a couple other damaged items. The burn on the table was actually from a joint, not a cigarette. I can tell as soon as I walk into the house what was smoked and how much. Marijuana, tobacco, pot rolled into cigarillos... if I look in the trash to confirm, I'm always right. Marijuana smoke smell dissipates fully in a few days, and guests don't seem to mind a little left over. But tobacco smoke never goes away. It even soaks into the deck wood outside, so I can often tell if there was a heavy outdoor smoker there even if they leave no butts behind. I explicitly allowed marijuana smoking inside the house up until then as a way to support legalization, and because the smoke is much more tame. But then it occurred to me: people can vape. I'm not a pot user so I guess I'm a little behind. So now, no more smoking. But yeah, if someone burns anything in my house by leaving a live fucking coal on it, they're pretty much guaranteed to lose their security deposit. Shouldn't be too difficult. Aside from that, I go to great lengths to give all my guests' money back. If someone just lets me know that they broke something, I never charge them for it. I suppose I'd have to charge for things like broken windows, but that hasn't happened yet.