Fortunately there are brands of incense that produce less smoke. There are also natural alternatives to burning incense that smell equally delightful. Don’t miss my tips on how to navigate incense burning while living in an apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFirst Things First: Understand the Law<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before going further, the first thing you want to do is have an understanding of what is and isn\u2019t permitted where you live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federal, State, & City Laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In some states, smoking is banned in public housing apartments.<\/a>This is often the case in dormitory apartments<\/a> as well. For instance HUD\u2019s smoke-free rule was adapted<\/a> to include incense because \u201cit is a burning material, and it leaves a residue\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also counties that offer landlords assistance<\/a> with forming a smoke-free policy for their multi-unit property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course this varies by country, state, and city, so you will have to refer to your lease and have a conversation with your landlord to be certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most smoke-free building laws refer to keeping indoor air clean from the \u201cact of smoking.\u201d This can include smoking cigarettes, cigars, a pipe or other smoking mechanism that requires inhaling and exhaling a substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even more specifically this restriction<\/a> refers to common areas of the building where you may come in contact with other residents outside of your apartment. But either way, the term does not usually apply to incense. Burning plant-based incense in your apartment unit is unlikely to be a violation of your lease, but in a smoke-free building there\u2019s a fine line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It really depends on what\u2019s defined as \u201csmoking.\u201d A landlord can logically argue that lighting incense produces smoke and is therefore smoking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So you have to read your lease and talk to your landlord about incense specifically. If there is a stipulation in your lease, and you choose to burn incense anyway, you will be in violation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You also have to consider your neighbors.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving into a smoke-free apartment building suggests that they do not want to have any contact with any kind of smoke. Some people have health conditions that are irritated by smoke that incense produces, and they have the right to be protected from it.<\/strong> People with respiratory conditions like asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)<\/a> can become gravely ill when exposed to secondhand smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thirdhand smoke<\/a>, which is the residue left behind on surfaces by smoke, is an increasing concern and can be most harmful to children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Takeaway: <\/strong>Read your lease to find out if you\u2019re prohibited from burning incense in an apartment located in a smoke-free building. Even if that stipulation isn\u2019t there, burning incense might still be inconsiderate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n While landlords cannot control your every action while living inside a rental unit, they can take precautions to preserve the condition of the unit and building as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you live in a smoke-free building or not, landlords have to look at the big picture. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oftentimes they put rules in place to reduce the amount of resources necessary to prepare your apartment for the next tenant after you move out. If the walls are stained with smoke residue, that\u2019s more labor and money they have to put into repairing property damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As one Florida attorney explained<\/a>, \u201cIt\u2019s a fair bet that burning incense in any rental is going to cause [an] issue as they tend to cause smoke damage and smell issues, much like smoking<\/strong><\/em>.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Landlords also want to reduce liability. If tenants are harmed in a fire caused by unattended burning objects like candles or incense<\/a>, I\u2019m sure they\u2019d feel bad about it, but at the same time, they\u2019ll want to learn the source of the fire so as to avoid being held fully liable for leasees’ personal injury and property damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Takeaway: <\/strong>You might find your landlord\u2019s rules to be annoying, but consider how much responsibility they have to keep you and others in your apartment building safe and housed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In some cases, landlords don\u2019t mind if you burn incense or not, but there still might be other factors to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might enjoy the process of burning incense, but if you have a roommate, they might not share your enthusiasm. While there\u2019s nothing wrong with burning incense in an apartment that doesn\u2019t have any incense-burning restrictions, it helps to be considerate of others.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some brands of incense release large amounts of smoke as they burn. Studies have shown that inhaling excessive amounts of incense smoke<\/a> can lead to health problems similar to secondhand smoke produced by cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can\u2019t imagine that you\u2019d burn that much incense at once, but it\u2019s just a matter of being mindful that those who live with you might not want to share your incense-burning experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all have different scent preferences as well. <\/strong>If you have a roommate that strongly dislikes a particular scent, it might be helpful to burn that scent when they\u2019re not at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All other things considered, if you decide to go forward and burn incense in your apartment, there are safe and considerate ways to go about doing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important thing you can do for yourself, roommates, and neighbors is to safely engage in incense burning. Smoldering incense should never be left unattended. When lighting it, do so away from hanging window treatments or anything else that can catch fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always place your incense holder on a fireproof surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also make sure that the ashes drop onto your fireproof holder. If the incense stick<\/a> is hanging over the edge and ashes fall onto your carpet, that could create carpet burns, or spark a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Incense like HEM<\/a> and Satya<\/a> are notoriously smokey. Their wooden core leaves a heavier presence of smoke behind once they\u2019ve stopped burning.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing incense like Nippon Kodo<\/a> or Shoyeido<\/a> means that only the natural matter gets burned, less smoke is produced, and what\u2019s left lingering in the air is more fragrance than smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you live in close quarters or you know that your incense smoke creeps through the vents and into neighbors\u2019 apartment units, consider burning more universal fragrances<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lavender, vanilla, even some sandalwood blends<\/a> can be more tolerable to others than, say, Nag Champa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Morningstar is a good option<\/a>. When I light these sticks, those around me who usually dislike the smell of incense, don\u2019t even notice that I\u2019m burning it so long as I keep my door closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium incense<\/a> usually has even purer fragrance elements that gracefully release very low amounts of smoke and you smell far more fragrance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u2019t go wrong when choosing incense made with natural ingredients<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people who burn incense are drawn to the idea of natural botanical elements being released into the air. If this is the case for you, and you want to avoid the hassle of burning incense in an apartment, then consider essential oils.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat If I Live In a Smoke-Free Apartment Building?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does My Landlord Get to Control What I Do Inside My Apartment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What if My Landlord is Cool with It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Burning Incense in an Apartment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Safely Light Incense<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Burn Low Smoke Incense<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choose Less Offensive Scents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consider Diffusing Essential Oils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n