Use Case

Vacation Rental at Risk: How Landlord Delphine Protects Herself from High Costs with Smart Technology

Imagine renting out a vacation apartment that you've carefully furnished. But what happens when your guests' misconduct — such as ignoring the no-smoking policy — suddenly causes major damage? In our interview with an affected landlord, we talk about experiences like this and the solutions available.

Graphic on the left on a blue background: air-Q air quality meter with web app on screen and the air-Q app open on a smartphone; on the right a collage of smoke-free vacation rentals

Natalie Lament 9/10/2024

__wf_reserved_inherit — Delphine has been renting out a vacation apartment for 6 years.

Delphine, who rents out a vacation apartment in Halle, knows the problem all too well. After an expensive damage incident, she found a solution with the air-Q air quality meter that protects both her nerves and her apartment. In this interview she shares her experiences and explains how the smart technology helps her identify problems early and act preventively, so she never has to go through an incident like that again.

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You had an unpleasant damage incident in your vacation apartment that you had to pay for yourself. What happened?

"In 2022, an incident occurred in my vacation apartment: guests ignored the no-smoking policy and smoked in the apartment for a whole week. Despite intensive airing out and ozone cleaning, the smell of smoke persisted stubbornly and settled into the furniture. Since such damage isn't covered by my insurance and I had no evidence against the guests, I had to replace several pieces of furniture and suffered a financial loss of several thousand euros. It was a very unpleasant and costly experience."

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Bedroom in a vacation apartment with empty wardrobes — Landlord Delphine rents out a smoke-free vacation apartment

How did you come across the air-Q and why did you decide on it?

"I chose the air-Q because conventional alarm systems are very expensive and don't solve the smoking problem, and surveillance cameras are of course not an option. The device offers me great added value, plus extra comfort and safety for my guests, by flagging pollutant exposure early. I also receive push notifications as soon as someone smokes in my apartment, so I can react quickly to prevent damage."

You've now been using the air-Q for some time. Are you still convinced by it?

"Yes, absolutely — it gives me peace of mind by informing me early about problems and also showing when the apartment is entered. This lets me check the key handover remotely, for example. The app delivers insightful data and sends push notifications for high pollutant levels or entry, so I can react immediately. Compared to the previous damages, the investment in the air-Q was minimal, but it offers considerable added value for me and my guests and helps prevent incidents like that from happening again."

Summary

How can I prevent guests from smoking in my vacation apartment?

Many landlords face the problem of guests ignoring the no-smoking policy. Technical solutions such as smart air quality meters can help detect smoke early and alert landlords immediately, preventing damage.

What can I do if guests smoke in my vacation apartment despite the no-smoking policy?

If guests violate the no-smoking policy, it can cause expensive damage. Smart air quality meters with an alarm function offer a way to detect violations and react quickly before long-term damage occurs.

Who is liable for damage caused by smoking guests in my vacation apartment?

In the case of damage caused by smoking guests, the landlord is usually liable. This is because such incidents are often not covered by insurance, since it's difficult to prove that the tenants actually smoked. Using air quality meters can help document violations and better enforce potential damage claims against guests.

How can I prove that guests smoked in my vacation apartment?

Proving that smoking took place in a vacation apartment can be difficult, especially without clear evidence. Smart air quality meters with an alarm function and air quality evaluation charts via the app can help detect and document smoking in real time. This data can serve landlords as evidence to take action against tenants who disregarded the no-smoking policy.