Breakfast Seminar for Landlords

On April 29th, the Chamber will host a forum for housing developers, landlords and property managers on the topic:  Smoke-free Housing:  Good for Your Business?  The program will feature speakers on the legal, financial and implementation considerations of adopting a non-smoking policy that covers entire buildings, including living units.   The event is sponsored by Rip Van Winkle Tobacco-Free Action, a program of the Healthcare Consortium.

“We think this is timely because there is a growing trend and market for smoke-free housing,” explains Karen dePeyster, Program Director for Tobacco-Free Action.  “We want our local businesses to have accurate information so that they can make the best decisions for their rental property.  And, of course, we would like to see more non-smoking apartment buildings become available.“  

As an example of changing attitudes, she cites the evolution of federal policy at HUD.  Ten years ago, HUD would not allow Public Housing Authorities, Section 8 and other limited income housing to restrict smoking at all.  Five years ago, HUD’s official statements said that the regulations were neutral and that smoking policy was up to individual property owners and managers.  Last year HUD issued a memo actively encouraging Public Housing Authorities to make part or all of their complexes non-smoking.  A similar memo directed at other forms of HUD housing is expected soon.  The NYS Division of Housing and Community Rehabilitation (DHCR) is also considering policy changes that will encourage non-smoking policies. 

From a public health perspective this shift is important because a large percentage of people who live in HUD housing are children, seniors and the disabled, all of whom are more at risk for health problems, such as asthma and cardiac disease, that are made worse by air pollution, including cigarette smoke.

As the smoking rates decline and people take Clean Indoor Air laws for granted, there is diminishing public tolerance for being involuntarily exposed to secondhand smoke.  One result is an increased interest in smoke-free living as an attractive amenity for renters.   A 2009 survey conducted by Siena Research Institute found that over 50% of those who rent apartments in Columbia and Greene Counties prefer a non-smoking building.

Another result is that there can be increased liability issues for landlords with market rate properties, especially when a tenant claims that smoke drifting into their living space is causing or exacerbating a health problem.   A common misperception is that smokers need to be accommodated.  In fact, the courts have consistently found that there is no legal “right to smoke”.   While legal recourse is still not common, some tenants in urban areas, where most people rent, have begun to turn to the courts to resolve complaints of unwanted exposure to secondhand smoke.   Whether or not a landlord chooses to prohibit smoking, knowing how best to reduce liability is important.      

For the past three years, Tobacco-Free Action has been providing basic information about smoking policy issues to owners and managers of rental property.  This forum is an opportunity to hear firsthand from those with personal and professional expertise and to ask questions specific to your situation.  We hope to have an attorney, a representative from a management company that has implemented a non-smoking policy in existing construction, and a tenant on the panel.  

The event will be held from 8:00 – 10:00am Thursday, April 29th at Space 360 located at 360 Warren Street in Hudson.  Breakfast will be served.  There is no charge to attend, but you must be registered.  For more information or to register, call Amy at 828- 4417.