A smoking agreement for your share house

Smokers and non-smokers can share a house happily when the rules are agreed before they're needed. A one-page agreement, signed by everyone, turns "I thought you meant…" into something you can point to.

Make your agreement Free. You'll get a sign for the back door and an agreement to sign. Nothing is saved.

What to agree on

Where, for each one. Tobacco, vapes and 420 can have different rules: inside, outside only, or not at the house at all. Name the spot: "the back deck", not just "outside".
Windows and doors. Smoke drifts. Agree to close the door or window nearest the smoking spot, and keep it away from bedroom windows.
Late at night. Voices carry from a smoking spot. A quiet time (say, after 10pm) keeps neighbours and light sleepers on side.
Guests. Do visitors follow the house rules? Who's responsible when a guest doesn't?
Butts and ash. One tin or ashtray at the smoking spot, emptied by whoever fills it. Nothing in the garden, pot plants or drains.
Shared spaces. No smoking in the kitchen, near washing on the line, or where food is stored, even if inside is otherwise fine.
Weather. Does the rule change when it's raining or freezing? Decide now rather than in July.
The lease. Housemates can't agree to anything the lease rules out. If the lease says no smoking inside, that's the rule. Checking the lease.
Changing your minds. Agree to talk again if anything isn't working, and when a new housemate moves in. (Taking someone's place? Sort out the lease and bond too.)

Keep it friendly

An agreement isn't a contract to enforce. It's a record of what everyone said yes to, so nobody has to remember or argue about it later. Put the sign up where people smoke and keep the signed copy somewhere everyone can find it.

Looking for a house where this is already sorted? Every room on SmokoShare shows its rules up front: see rooms, or rooms where 420 is allowed.

General information, not legal advice. A house agreement doesn't change your lease or your rights as a tenant.