Condos that prohibit smoking? (Alexandria, Manassas: rental, home, buy)

[Rosalie89]

We're currently renting in Alexandria and my husband works near the White House. We just started talking with banks and it looks like our budget is going to be around $275k for two bedrooms. Are there any condo buildings within an hour's commute by transit that are non-smoking? I have asthma and a young child at risk for developing it (lots of family history), so I need to be careful about secondhand smoke.

[BOS2IAD]

You can tell your realtor that one of your criteria is a non-smoking building. Also let him/her know that you won't even want to look at a building that allows smoking.

[Flamingo13]

That budget isn't doable IMO.

[Rosalie89]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

That budget isn't doable IMO.

There are plenty of condos under $275k. I'm just asking if anyone knows of buildings that are non-smoking.

[Rosalie89]

Originally Posted by BOS2IAD

You can tell your realtor that one of your criteria is a non-smoking building. Also let him/her know that you won't even want to look at a building that allows smoking.

That's good advice, thank you!

[kww]

cant say I've ever come across non smoking language in condo docs. I'd do the legwork and start calling management company offices to ask, as I wouldn't want to put that on an agent, if you're working with one, to confirm and guarantee. I definitely wouldn't want to wait to get under contract and review the docs to confirm, as you'd be wasting time and possibly money on a home inspection.

*Don't assume you'll be able to see the condo docs prior to going under contract, they most times are not uploaded online and easily available (without paying $200+ for them)

[boyd888]

The entire building being smoke free, including inside the units? Extremely unlikely. Here's an article from last year about the first building in arlington to do it (and it still grandfathered in current residents anyway)


https://www.arlnow.com/2018/03/06/as...o-ban-smoking/


No smoking in common areas should be much easier to find. I'd focus on that.

[Rosalie89]

Originally Posted by boyd888

The entire building being smoke free, including inside the units? Extremely unlikely. Here's an article from last year about the first building in arlington to do it (and it still grandfathered in current residents anyway)


https://www.arlnow.com/2018/03/06/as...o-ban-smoking/


No smoking in common areas should be much easier to find. I'd focus on that.

Yeah, I've seen that article and was hoping there were buildings in other counties/cities that had made similar moves. My friend has a condo that always smells like smoke because of her neighbor, and I don't want to end up in that situation. Judging from the units currently available in our building, our rent is going to go up at least $300 this winter. I was hoping we could buy instead of being priced out of this building into another (again), but it's looking like we can only afford a non-condo in Woodbridge or Manassas.

[BOS2IAD]

Is your current building smoke-free? If so, consider staying for now. We rent in a smoke-free building.

As for your rent going up, if you want to stay there for the time being, here's some advice --- Keep an eye on their website to see what is currently available. You may be surprised to find that one that's the same model as your current place may be advertising for less rent that your place. If there is nearby competition for tenants, these buildings sometimes get in rent wars.

If you see a place in your building for less and it's the same model as yours, don't hesitate to talk to someone in your rental office about it.

The link posted in this thread makes a good point about older condos that allow smoking will end up attracting more smokers.

[Rosalie89]

Originally Posted by BOS2IAD

Is your current building smoke-free? If so, consider staying for now. We rent in a smoke-free building.

As for your rent going up, if you want to stay there for the time being, here's some advice --- Keep an eye on their website to see what is currently available. You may be surprised to find that one that's the same model as your current place may be advertising for less rent that your place. If there is nearby competition for tenants, these buildings sometimes get in rent wars.

If you see a place in your building for less and it's the same model as yours, don't hesitate to talk to someone in your rental office about it.

The link posted in this thread makes a good point about older condos that allow smoking will end up attracting more smokers.

Right now the unit directly below ours is listed for $300 more than we currently pay in rent. I'll keep an eye out. Our lease is up in January.

Our building is completely smoke free.