Avis Charges Renter $250 for Marijuana Odor in Rental Car

Renter claims he doesn't smoke and disputes the cleaning fee

Mar. 26, 2026 at 12:00am

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Gary Mullen-Schultz rented a car from Avis at Sacramento International Airport, but noticed a strong marijuana odor a few hours into his drive. When he returned the car, Avis charged him $250 for cleaning and repairing a burn mark. Mullen-Schultz protested the charges, saying he doesn't smoke and was the sole driver, but Avis insisted the fees were valid.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issues with car rental companies charging subjective cleaning fees, often without clear documentation of the pre-existing condition of the vehicle. Renters are at the mercy of the rental company's claims, making it difficult to dispute charges for alleged damage or odors.

The details

Mullen-Schultz says he kept the windows open during his rental, but the marijuana odor lingered. When he returned the car, Avis staff said it would be fine. A week later, he received a $250 bill for cleaning and repairing a burn mark he never noticed. Mullen-Schultz protested, saying he doesn't smoke and was the sole driver, but Avis insisted the charges were valid.

  • Mullen-Schultz rented the car from Avis at Sacramento International Airport recently.
  • A few hours into his drive, Mullen-Schultz noticed a strong marijuana odor in the car.
  • Mullen-Schultz returned the vehicle six days later and told Avis staff about the odor.
  • A week after returning the car, Mullen-Schultz received a $250 bill from Avis.

The players

Gary Mullen-Schultz

A renter who picked up a car from Avis at Sacramento International Airport and was later charged $250 for cleaning and a burn mark, which he disputes.

Avis

A major car rental company that charged Mullen-Schultz $250 for cleaning and repairing a burn mark in the rental car.

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What they’re saying

“You should never have been given a car in that condition, and you should not have been billed for cleaning it up.”

— Christopher Elliott, Consumer advocate

“Car rental companies regularly impose steep cleaning fees for smoke, pets, and spills. I don't have a problem with that when the damage actually happens during your rental. After all, renters agree to accept responsibility for the vehicle when they are renting it.”

— Christopher Elliott, Consumer advocate

What’s next

Mullen-Schultz should continue to dispute the charges with Avis and escalate the issue if necessary. He could also consider taking detailed photos of the interior of the rental car in the future to document its condition before and after the rental.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issues with car rental companies charging subjective cleaning fees, often without clear documentation of the pre-existing condition of the vehicle. Renters need to be proactive in documenting the state of the rental car to protect themselves from unfair charges.