Smokers may find renting apartments harder

If you're a smoker who's thinking of quitting as a new year's resolution, a new state law taking effect Jan. 1 might give you another reason if you live in an apartment or condominium complex.

Beginning with the new year, owners of multi-unit housing can under state law restrict, or even ban, smoking within their complexes, inside and outside.

"We hope this gets them to look at the details," said Karah Glavaris, a health education specialist with Yuba County's Health and Human Services Department. "But I don't know that there will be any big changes."

The law, Senate Bill 332, doesn't create a new ability for landlords, who could already legally restrict smoking on the grounds of their complexes. Rather, it puts into state law what's already been adopted by many cities and counties.

Because it's now state law, Glavaris said, S.B. 332 might compel complex owners to weigh the revenue from renting to smokers against the costs involved in cleaning an apartment after a smoker has left, or the higher insurance premiums because of higher fire risk.

She said her office has already begun working with county apartment managers to inform them how the law works, but it's not clear yet how many will change policies or even consider banning smoking.

Though some managers might lose tenants if they do, she said, they might also gain them in the form of families, where the parents want healthy environments for their children.

"Smoking is not as prevalent as it used to be," Glavaris said, pointing out the percentages of smokers among U.S. residents is estimated at 15 to 18 percent. "The first direction most of them will go, I think, is for certain units and common areas to be smoke-free."

As a result of the law, policies about smoking will have to be included in lease or rental agreements, and managers will have to post changes in policy with adequate notice.

Teresa Lemon, resident manager at Lincoln Place Apartments in Yuba City, said she's mulling the idea of making some changes relative to smoking, but not because of the new law.

Within the next few weeks, she said, she'll survey those living in the complex's 40 units about designating some units, or even one building, just for smokers.

"We've had complaints, because someone will be on their deck smoking, and then it'll drift over to someone who doesn't smoke," she said, adding as an asthmatic, she can sympathize.

But there has to be a balance, she said.

"You can't have a bunch of empty apartments because there aren't enough smokers," she said.

As he walked his dogs and puffed on a cigarette Friday afternoon, Larry Jones, who lives in Ellis Lake Apartments in Marysville, said he understands the public health reasons for the bill.

"But at the same time, a lot of my rights as a smoker are being taken away," said Jones, 60.

"It's a little thing, but it's also a big thing, you know?" he said.

CONTACT reporter Ben van der Meer at 749-4786.