Neighbor's smoking is invading my apartment!

[FolkRockFan]

My first course of action would be to work on getting the ventilation system repaired.

In the meantime, as a solution to the smoke smell, a can of Orange Chronic will do the trick. You can find this product, or something very much like it, at almost any head shop. Orange Chronic is a bit expensive - about eight bucks where I went to get my can - but one spritz will knock out just about any nasty odor you can imagine.

The can lasts nearly forever...and the best part is that, because it's an orange oil base, you have a nice, pleasant smell that's not overpowering

[Jaywalker]

I don't understand the point that it is 'first' a neighbor problem -- it is not HER problem that the building is defective -- she has the right to smoke, or cook curry or use disgusting potpouri or whatever in HER apartment -- the problem is not what the neighbor is doing, it is what the building is doing --

it is entirely a landlord maintenance etc problem --

[VorFemme]

ReneeG--Do you know where I could find one? The only kind I've ever seen are the smallish ones that you put on a covered cat box. And I wonder if the humidity would have an adverse effect on the filter?
 

Ah - humidity - you'd probably find it easier to get a sheet of the stuff to print advertising magnets (or the Harriet Carter catalog has the magnetic sheets precut to duct size) to stick to the metal and "seal" the odor out.

For the filter - check the pet store - perhaps the activated charcoal for aquariums could be used to make a filter?  Or the HEPA quality air filters for the a/c return could be cut down to fit the smaller return?  The ones that say they get the really small particles out of the air.........this does assume that you can figure out how to get the filter either into the duct or secure it to the frame where ALL the air goes through it!

[ShadesOfGrey]

this is not a 'neighbor' problem and no letters should be sent to the neighbor -- it is a landlord/ building problem

odors from one apartment should not be leaking this much into another -- there is clearly something wrong with the ventilation system

the OP might approach the neighbor with the problem 'with the ventilation' and its impact on her -- and do some problem solving with the neighbor -- perhaps if she didn't smoke in the bathroom or kept that door shut, it would cut down on the leak -- or they could explore ways to track down just how the smoke is leaking through -- and try to do what it takes to prevent this

this should all be approached as 'a problem with the building' and with the attitude that 'of course she has the right to smoke in her own apartment' --

with or without information about where the leak is -- approach the landlord about a problem with the ventilation system that needs to be fixed. -- and be persistent -- about following up

Jaywalker, I think you've hit the nail on the head.  This really is a ventilation problem, not a problem with smoking.  It's not like the OP can actually ask the other tenant to stop smoking... If she knew the other tenant at all, I might recommend talking to her, and seeing if closing a door in the smokers apt. can help the situation, but since she doesnt know the other tenant, going to the landlord is not going over her head, because it's not the other tenant's responsibility to fix the problem (ventilation). It's the landlord's.  So, writing to the landlord about 'the ventilation problem in my bathroom' is the appropriate first step. 

1. odors from other apartments are making their way into your apartment so much so that your clothes are smelling like them.
2. your vent is rusted shut.

these both warrant a letter/phone call to the landlord.

The landlord may be able to reduce the problem with better ventilation, but the nature of living in apartments is that sometimes, odors/noises from other tenants are unaviodable (yes, in your case it is an extreme, but small amounts of both are to be expected in apartment living).  I would definitely invest in an odor-eater/air purifier and try to remedy the situation on my own IN ADDITION TO what the landlord fixes. 

good luck!

[MineralDiva]

If you want an activated charcoal filter that could fit a heating duct, check your local Petco or PetSmart.  Booda litterboxes use such filters...and you can buy re-fills.  Get a couple or a few and put them tgether to fit your duct.  They're not terribly expensive.

You'll probably need something to go over it to secure in place.  But the suggestion about magnet sheets was a good one too.

[twinkletoes]

I agree with Jaywalker and Rdge.  I think the neighbor will be more receptive to the OP saying "hey, I think the ventilation here is wonky - d'ya think we can fix it?" than receiving what is essentially a "cease and desist" letter (except not in the legal definition of the phrase).

[ZipTheWonder]

There is a habitability issue with the OP's apartment.  If the OP either can't or doesn't care to work out some kind of arrangement for the neighbor to smoke outdoors, then I would contact someone with some tenant's rights experience (either an attorney or legal aid.) They should be able to draft a letter putting the landlord on notice about his obligation to provide a habitable living space and they should be able to give some guidance about the OP's recourse in this situation.

[Heavenly]

Wow...you guys know your stuff.  Can I ask for help?

Our duplex is nonsmoking...we searched out a nonsmoking on purpose as Mr. H is allergic to smoke and the squeek has asthma. 

Last year our neighbors had a friend who needed a place to stay for a couple weeks and got permission from the landlords to let her stay.  This friend smokes quite a bit and they got permission to let her smoke, but suggested she do most of the smoking outside.  Since then our neighbors have started smoking as well.  Since we only connect at our laundry rooms and garage, it hasn't been that big of a problem except during the summer when the children play outside (we have just had them come in until they're done).  However, this friend is still there (a year later) so we have 3 adults smoking pretty consistently and it is now starting to leak through to our laundry room.  In fact, it's starting to really get smelly in there and since it's also our pantry--our food is starting to take on the flavor as well.     The only thing I can think of is that it is coming through the electrical outlet?

We recently changed landlords and as far as they know--that unit has always been smoking, so no relief there.

Any ideas?

[CocoCamm]

I guess your best course of action might be to mail her a letter by certified mail with a copy to your landlords asking her to have the smoking stop.

I disagree.  For one thing, she has no business making demands of her neighbor and a certified letter copied to the landlord looks like a demand.  All this will do is irritate the neighbor and really, it's not the neighbor's problem.

This is an issue for the landlord.  You simply tell them what's going on, see what they can do about it, if anything, and then go from there as to what your options are.  I thought that places billed as private residences had to each have their own ventilation, but I'm no expert.  It just seems to me like that would be required.

Did you know when you moved in that you would be sharing a ventilation system?  That would be awful.  Even if it wasn't smoking, who wants to smell when their neighbor cooks fish or curry or something for dinner?  Or what if you have a neighbor who likes to burn incense, or candles, or anything like that.  It just doesn't seem very "private".

I totally agree. This isnt the fault of the neighbor any more then its the fault of the OP. If the building isnt smoke free then the neighbor has ever right to smoke in her own aprtment. The fault here lies directly with the landlord/building owner for having such a shotty ventilation system.

I think the OP needs to contact her landlord and if he does nothing to remedy the sitiation then its time to get the renters association involved. If nothing continues to be done, well thats why we have small claims court.

[Slartibartfast]

I don't think it's reasonable to expect the neighbor to do anything, except MAYBE "Would you mind keeping a door closed when you're not using it for the next week or so until we can get the ventilation system fixed?"  This is definitely the landlord's problem.  If the landlord refuses to do anything about the ventilation, tape a big piece of cardboard over the vent (yes, it might make the bathroom steam up more when you're in the shower, but it's not your wallpaper, it's the landlord's!).  If you can't do that, you can get an air conditioner filter for less than $10 which you can tape over the whole thing (or if you want it to look good, find one that fits inside the vent).  You may have to replace the filter frequently to remove the nicotine and tar gunk that builds up on the other side, but at least it's not getting into your clothes!  That would definitely gross me out.

[ZipTheWonder]

Any ideas?

What does your lease say?  Not the landlord, but the lease.

[Betsy]

I have discovered that Febreeze activated charcoal air filters work like a gem. They even (I'm pretty sure) have filters especially designed for smoke. I got mine at Target but have also seen them at Meijer.

[Heavenly]

What does your lease say?  Not the landlord, but the lease.

It doesn't say one way or the other...it was a verbal from the previous landlord.   

[hobish]

I guess your best course of action might be to mail her a letter by certified mail with a copy to your landlords asking her to have the smoking stop.

I disagree.  For one thing, she has no business making demands of her neighbor and a certified letter copied to the landlord looks like a demand.  All this will do is irritate the neighbor and really, it's not the neighbor's problem.

This is an issue for the landlord.  You simply tell them what's going on, see what they can do about it, if anything, and then go from there as to what your options are.  I thought that places billed as private residences had to each have their own ventilation, but I'm no expert.  It just seems to me like that would be required.

Did you know when you moved in that you would be sharing a ventilation system?  That would be awful.  Even if it wasn't smoking, who wants to smell when their neighbor cooks fish or curry or something for dinner?  Or what if you have a neighbor who likes to burn incense, or candles, or anything like that.  It just doesn't seem very "private".

I totally agree. This isnt the fault of the neighbor any more then its the fault of the OP. If the building isnt smoke free then the neighbor has ever right to smoke in her own aprtment. The fault here lies directly with the landlord/building owner for having such a shotty ventilation system.

I think the OP needs to contact her landlord and if he does nothing to remedy the sitiation then its time to get the renters association involved. If nothing continues to be done, well thats why we have small claims court.

I agree. Especially with the terms of the lease (or lack thereof) being what they are.

If someone sent me a letter saying i need to stop smoking in MY apartment that i pay $xoo a month to live in i would be downright livid. Neighborly relations would go from non-existent to me wishing bad things upon the sender.

Landlord first, and if he doesn't do anythng try those Febreeze filters or blocking off the vent would definitely be my route.

[ZipTheWonder]

It doesn't say one way or the other...it was a verbal from the previous landlord.   

 Did you discuss the issue when the new lease with the new landlord was signed?