Smoke Odors in My Apartment from Neighbors

I live in a apartment and the people across from me stand outside on the balcony and smoke. Sometimes 3-5 people at one time. The smell comes in around my door. How can I keep the smell out of my apartment and from around the outside of my door?

I threw away a carpeted rug that was outside my door, because of the smell and cigarette butts I found on it. They threw the butts down on the balcony, stairs and downstairs onto the sidewalk and grass.

Is there anything I can get to place outside my door that will absorb the cigarette smoke? The door seems to have good weather stripping, but my door smells of cigarette smoke. I haven't turned in a complaint to management yet.

By Zelda from Tulsa, OK

Answers:

Smoke Odors in My Apartment from Neighbors

I would go to the people and try talking to them and if that doesn't work then go to management. The world is not their ashtray. Not only are they polluting the air that you breathe, they are throwing their cigarette butts all over the place. You have rights to a clean environment. (10/29/2009)

By Louise

Smoke Odors in My Apartment from Neighbors

That is the first step.
As a former property manager, I can tell you that they probably smoke outside because they live in a non-smoking apartment complex.

If you ask them not to do it, and they refuse, you can file a complaint.

Littering is a city ordinance fine, plus if they are anything like my inconsiderate residents, they don't put them out first. I have had dogs and kids burned because they don't care about anyone, but themselves.

Illuminating the problem is the first key. Before you say anything to them, I would go out and spray Lysol when they are doing it, so you send the message loud and clear. Remind them that you do nothing to upset their "quiet and peaceful enjoyment" of their home (most of the time that is written into the contract in just those words), and you would appreciate them doing the same for you.

If nothing else works, and your manager fails to stop the behavior, contact the local landlord and tenant office in your city/state. If the manager fails to make everyone obey the rules equally, you can sometimes withhold your rent, file a complaint with the owners, which is public record, and/or get some kind of compensation for health reasons.

Good luck. (10/29/2009)

By Sandi/Poor But Proud

Smoke Odors in My Apartment from Neighbors

I have neighbors that did the same thing and the butts all over the place is what bothered me the most because of fire hazard. I told my landlord and he gave them a "10 notice". This notice means if they do it again within ten days they will be evicted. They did it again after the ten days was up and I let the landlord know again and he gave them a second "10 notice". The reason that finally worked is because each "10" is an automatic $25.00 fine and I guess they decided $50.00 was enough to learn a lesson.

Now if they smoke outside they use an ashtray and are more careful about where they blow the smoke and how many at one time. That has made so much of a difference. I don't know what the laws are in Oklahoma, but that's a tenant law here in Washington state and I am happy for it.

I hope you find as easy of a way as I have to resolve your neighbors bad and selfish behavior so that you don't have to worry about the smoke and butts anymore. (10/29/2009)

By Deeli

Smoke Odors in My Apartment from Neighbors

As a smoker, I know you must be considerate of others. I keep buckets with kitty litter in it for ashes and butts and make sure they are used, and I burn odor absorbing candles when I or others with me do smoke. It is a really bad smell and it sticks to everything. I've never had that many smoking at one time.

If you have that many, you need to go out in the woods. You can sometimes control where the smoke goes unless it's windy. But just tossing butts all over the place is just being lazy and careless much less disgusting. You need to report those violations to your management. (10/29/2009)

By Barbara

Smoke Odors in My Apartment from Neighbors

How disrespectful these people are being. They probably will not change their ways at all unless they are made to. It's too bad some people think only of themselves. I feel bad for you that you are put in this position. I always hesitate to complain about a neighbor, because you just don't know who you are dealing with and will they try to get even with you.

Still, I think you should report them to the manager and let him take care of it. I don't see why you should have to tell them their business. If it's a no-smoking complex they are in violation. Maybe they smoke outside so as to not stink up their own place as they know it really smells bad. (11/02/2009)

By Debbie Dzurilla