A five-minute routine during the tour

  1. Notice the hallway first

    Smell the corridor and stairwell on the way in. A stale building suggests smoke moves between units.

  2. Close a closet door, then open it

    Closets hold still air. Step inside, close the door for a few seconds if the agent allows, then breathe in.

  3. Open the kitchen cabinets

    Cabinet interiors are rarely painted at turnover, so they often keep residue that walls no longer show.

  4. Check the window treatments

    Look closely at blinds and the top of window frames for a yellow cast or tacky film.

  5. Look up

    Check the ceiling around light fixtures and the smoke detector for faint staining or a halo.

  6. Ask to run the heat or air

    If the season allows, ask the agent to turn the heat or air conditioning on for a minute and smell near the vent or radiator.

Clues that something may be masked

  • Plug-in fragrance devices or strong scented products in an empty unit.
  • All windows wide open on a cold day.
  • Fresh paint smell combined with old-looking switch plates and outlet covers.
  • New blinds in one room only.
  • A faint sweet chemical smell in closets, sometimes from fogging or deodorizing products.
  • Ash or butts on a balcony, window well or fire escape outside the unit.

Questions to ask the agent or landlord

  1. Did the previous resident smoke or vape inside?
  2. Was any odor cleaning or treatment done before painting?
  3. Is the building smoke-free, including balconies and common areas?
  4. Have other residents reported smoke traveling between units?
  5. If odor appears after move-in, how would you handle it?
  6. Can I note any odor I find on the move-in condition report?

What to do with what you found

  • IfNo odor, no masking clues, smoke-free buildingNote the condition anyway on the move-in report and photograph closets and cabinets.
  • IfFaint odor in closets or cabinets onlyAsk in writing for those areas to be cleaned before move-in, and note it on the condition report.
  • IfClear odor throughout, or masking products in useAsk what will be done and when, in writing, before signing. Consider whether the timeline works for you.
  • IfThe building allows smoking and the hallway smellsThink carefully about drift from neighbors, which cleaning will not fix.

Common questions

Is it rude to open cabinets and closets on a tour?

Not at all. Agents expect renters to check storage space, and it is the most reliable way to catch leftover residue. Ask first if anyone's belongings are still in the unit.

What if the unit is still occupied during the tour?

A current resident's belongings, cooking and fragrance make the test harder. Ask whether the unit will be cleaned between residents, and whether the current resident smokes, then plan to inspect again at move-in.

General information for Capitol Hill, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.