My landlord suspects that I have smoked although it is forbidden. I have never smoked in the house and do not want to pay for any damage caused by the previous tenant who did not respect any prohibition. Can you demonstrate the presence of nicotine on walls and ceilings?
Answer
day Natalie
Yes you can, but it’s not that obvious.
There are several ways to detect nicotine and determine the content. But these are not analyzes that you can do yourself at home.
If it is really necessary, you can give an analysis lab the assignment.
There are also test kits for detecting nicotine in urine, but on walls this is less evident. Have a look at the link and see what else they indicate there.
And apparently there are also ways to show nicotine on the wall (second link).
Normally your landlord can no longer make you pay for what a previous tenant has done, I think. He would have to prove that there is now more nicotine on the wall than before.
You can always try rubbing the wall with a wet white cloth and see if the cloth turns brown. Furthermore, nicotine is a base. If you put the dirty part of your cloth in some water and the pH test should be greater than 7. But there are so many other substances that also react basic, so that is not clear.
Do you have a good inventory that was drawn up when you moved into the house? That is the initial situation. Then you have to compare it.
Success with it.
Answered by
dr. Marina Vanhecke
analytical chemistry toxicology soil remediation
UC Leuven Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13 | 3000 Leuven Hertogstraat 178 | 3001 Heverlee UC Limburg Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan building B box 1 3590 Diepenbeek
http://www.ucll.be
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