Cigarette stains on ceiling

[handyandy]

I have seen ceilings that bad, that the nicotine is just dripping off the ceilings

I would leave him alone,even if he moves out now you will have to renovate,
Next lease he signs,just make sure there is a clause cleaning nicotine stains on ceilings in there.

You can't clean it off properly,however when it gets real bad,you need to get a cleaner in before you paint or else you can puke.

I have had great success with an oil based undercoat followed by Solver Duraguard low sheen acrylic (Has tannin stain resistance).

What I recommend can be done without cleaning them first

As per Painter1 another product that is very effective

http://www.zinsser.com/

just paint over it then continue with normal paint job.

As per the other comments I would leave him in place and just up the rent slightly to pay for the reno down the track.

Cheers

 

[bespoke]

I would leave him be.

You say he is a good tenant otherwise. Why go to the trouble, expense and possible hassle of fighting it out about the bond now and then have to look for another tenant who could possibly be a real pain and give you far more hassle than a bit of cigarette staining?

The damage is already done.

He could continue to be an otherwise good tenant for another 10 years after which you would have to repaint anyway.

Like someone else said.... Dont sweat the small stuff.