neighbors smoke coming into my apartment

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. They can use a fan to blow the smoke out of the window while theyre smoking. Use DoNotPay to send faxes online. A well-written demand letter should show your neighbor you mean business and stop the disturbance once and for all. Its Not Oh So Quiet? You can prevent them from crinkling their nose by implementing some of the simple solutions I have laid out in the article. You can expect an appropriate response shortly after. Surgeon General has determined that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke exposure. So the DEA definitely has the legal authority to arrest and prosecute the neighbor (assuming there is probable cause). If it comes to that, you should ask your landlord/property manager to waive any penalties for breaking your lease. Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more. Keep a dated record in a notebook of when smoke infiltrates into your apartment, as well as all interactions and communication with your landlord, neighbors and others about the issue. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. American Journal of Public Health, 102, 1868-1871. Your next step should be to read the rules and regulations of your condominium or apartment complex to see if smoking is prohibited. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. Make sure you go for weather stripping that allows for easy sliding of panes. For the legal and practical information you need to deal with your landlord and other tenants, see Every Tenant's Legal Guide, by Janet Portman and Marcia Stewart (Nolo). Thanks to the recent decriminalization of marijuana in New York City, Im now suffering through a double dose of at-home secondhand smoke. The fringe benefit you will have from weather stripping your doors and windows is the money you will save with heating and cooling your apartment in the summer and winter. Step 1: Figure Out Where the Smoke is Coming From Smoke can enter from outside in a number of ways: Through an open window or fresh air intake duct, if the neighbour is "smoking responsibly" outside Through openings between units (e.g. The most suitable methods of dealing with a neighbors smoke coming into your apartment include: The first thing to do is approach your neighbor and let them know how you feel. You can try resolving the issue in a friendly manner or resort to sterner measures. If the friendly approach doesnt work, its time to send your neighbor a demand letter. Laws regarding barbecuing in apartment buildings will vary between buildings and . The protection doesn't apply if the neighbor signed a lease, restrictive covenant, or purchase agreement waiving his right to sue a neighbor for causing a nuisance by smoking. An official website of the United States government. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Secondhand smoke exposure in multi-unit dwellings such as apartments and condominiums is unfortunately both a common problem and also dangerous for you and your family. Take pictures of smoke plumes or cigarette butts. June 2012. Keep a record of all of your communications with your landlord in case you need them to prove that youve tried to seek help from them. And what we are saying is that government policy is that in fact they will not pursue such violations. We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. Please click here to see any active alerts. Having a neighbor that smokes weed can be just as annoying than if they smoke cigarettes. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. When a lot of neighbors complain, the landlord may be more motivated to take action. When talking to them, you should: If you are not a fan of confrontation, you can write a whimsical note and leave it in front of your neighbors apartment with scented candles and some snacks (for the munchies). Sometimes its even in my closet. for shared plumbing or electrical systems) Since smoking is not an illegal activity, cops are unlikely to intervene. If and when the landlord/property manager gets back in contact with you, they may try to fix the problem by plugging underneath your door or sealing cracks in your walls. What Happens When You Call Animal Control on a Neighbor That Doesnt Want To Cooperate, How to Pay Your Houston Water Bills Online Hassle-Free, How to Remove My Case From The Internet Instantly, How to Recover Your Forgotten Workday Password Hassle-Free, Sending Money to an Inmate Has Never Been Easier, Credit Card Dispute Letter Template That'll Get Your Money Back, Writing a letter to neighbors about noise, Dogs being aggressive towards other neighbors, Skip being on hold when phoning customer service, You are allergic to cigarette and pot smoke, Your children are exposed to smoke and fumes, Passive smoking is as dangerous as active smoking, Involving the landlord or building manager, Reporting your neighbors to the authorities if possible, Tell your neighbors their smoke is harming you and your children, Inform them of the harmful effects of passive smoking, Avoid throwing accusations and be kind and considerate, Offer suggestions, such as smoking in a well-ventilated room, using scented candles, or switching to vapes, Choose the specific type of neighbor complaint, Provide more info about the problem youre experiencing.