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AIBU?

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Original poster

To put a note through my neighbours door?

60 replies

mooooose · 03/03/2025 23:52

My neighbours smoke weed and always have done. In the summer it smelt worse because of the heat and they'd smoke it in the garden all day. Didn't say anything just thought they can do what they like. But in the past few months I've started to smell it inside, like really strongly. Don't know if they're growing it or smoking indoors or whatever. But the smell is drifting into my back bedroom where my daughter sleeps. I'm absolutely pissed off.

They aren't approachable, we've lived here for years and have always tried to get on with them and be pleasant but Never had a single smile or hello from them. They just ignore us which is fine but obviously makes it very awkward to approach things like this.

When we brought our first baby home he put a note through our door telling us that our baby crying was too loud and that he couldn't sleep. DD slept full nights from the age of 4 weeks and honestly didn't cry in the night.. I ignored it as didn't want an argument but I knew from this moment he was quite an unreasonable man.

Anyway, would It be unreasonable for me to post a note through their door asking them to stop smoking weed in the house? I don't even know if he'll listen. Is there anything else I can do. The smell is knocking me sick and I feel so bad and worried that DD has to sleep in it.

OP posts:
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LadeedahYadaYada · 04/03/2025 17:00

Sounds like neighbours I know. I went round couple of times (it was their so being a dopehead) - didn't make much change but the day he moved out, we did a little dance. You have my sympathy.

Unorganisedchaos2 · 04/03/2025 16:44

Do you know who your PCSO is OP? Its sometimes on local leaflets or on a neighborhood facebook group? They are normally really good and can suggest what would be best to do?

tallhotpinkflamingo · 04/03/2025 16:35

If the police aren't interested maybe the community protection officers can take it on?

LushLemonTart · 04/03/2025 16:28

Definitely ring the police.

I'm on the brink of doing so about a neighbour 2 doors away. Stinks constantly so he's no doubt a grower? Makes me gag.

Cattery · 04/03/2025 16:27

It’s antisocial and selfish. The police aren’t interested and they know this. Fuck me, they would have to arrest everyone in South London.

Youagain2025 · 04/03/2025 16:27

mooooose · 04/03/2025 00:00

They are arseholes tbh 😭 I don't think he police will be interested. Feel like just sending DH round but just know the neighbour will start an argument. So unfair. It smells fucking awful

I'm in a simlar situation. My neighbours smoke really strong weed in their garden. It's awful in the summer . What really pisses me of is they probably smoke it outside because they don't want it in their own house. I think your right police won't care . It's almost pretty much accepted now

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 16:22

DrunkOnYourAwe · 04/03/2025 16:16

Weed smells are categorically not ASB.

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Weed smells consistent and overpowering and preventing enjoyment of your own home absolutely are.

DrunkOnYourAwe · 04/03/2025 16:16

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 15:58

It definitely is ASB and police do take action you just have to keep on at them. Also get any other neighbours (flat or house) to report. Our police has a special ASB form if not you can use the non emergency number/report on line. I have experience of this and they do take action but it may take a while.

Show quote history

Weed smells are categorically not ASB.

Rwdlan85 · 04/03/2025 16:10

Since they are not approachable, I would send them a note and would also contact your Local council Environmental health officers .

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 16:10

Sorry to take over your thread but I had over 6 months of hell and feel your pain.

SwerveCity · 04/03/2025 16:10

Police. Most weed smokers really have no idea how much they stink. It’s vile
and selfish.

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 16:09

Oh and drag in anyone else you can. The council ASB officers, your MP. Go to meetings of council/police. Film them smoking it if you can. Just push push push. One police woman asked me how I knew it was weed as only certain police officers were qualified to identify the smell!.

Fridayfeeling77 · 04/03/2025 16:07

LaineyCee · 04/03/2025 00:00

I’d make an anonymous report to the police saying you think there’s a cannabis farm in the property. Don’t put a note through the door beforehand or they’ll suspect it’s you. Are they renting? If so, you can also complain to their landlord.

This sounds like a plan.

Happyher · 04/03/2025 16:06

Are they tenants or homeowners? If they’re tenants complain to the landlord. If they own their home maybe try contacting the council’s environmental health team for advice

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 16:02

YouveGotAFastCar · 04/03/2025 15:52

I genuinely don't think the police are going to be able to get a warrant to search the premises because one neighbour can smell weed.

Yeah, this, sadly.

They don't need a warrant but they can serve a MDA. Despite most people's assumptions, cannabis is illegal even for personal use on private premises.

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 16:00

MajorCarolDanvers · 04/03/2025 15:52

why is everyone suggesting reporting this to the police? What do you think they will do?

speaking nicely to the woman is the most likely chance of a positive outcome.

Oh and "speaking nicely" to our neighbour resulted in all sorts of promises he promptly forgot.

saveforthat · 04/03/2025 15:58

RunningJo · 04/03/2025 10:53

Call your council and see if it comes under anti social behaviour and ask their advice, I would also ask advice from the Police. You will then know what can or can't be done. But I wouldn't put a note through their door, or speak to the wife.

It definitely is ASB and police do take action you just have to keep on at them. Also get any other neighbours (flat or house) to report. Our police has a special ASB form if not you can use the non emergency number/report on line. I have experience of this and they do take action but it may take a while.

MajorCarolDanvers · 04/03/2025 15:52

why is everyone suggesting reporting this to the police? What do you think they will do?

speaking nicely to the woman is the most likely chance of a positive outcome.

YouveGotAFastCar · 04/03/2025 15:52

I genuinely don't think the police are going to be able to get a warrant to search the premises because one neighbour can smell weed.

Yeah, this, sadly.

Fountofwisdom · 04/03/2025 15:47

RatedDoingMagic · 04/03/2025 05:53

They aren't going to change their drug-taking habits for you. Don't write that note.

Instead write a more formal letter to notify them that because the air pollution coming through the party wall is damaging to your children's health, you are going to be appointing a professional surveyor to identify all the places where there is air exchange between the two properties and will be sealing up all such gaps. They will need to be aware of this work as it will necessarily affect the ventilation of some of their rooms, which is currently happening via your home, so they may need to do subsequent work to provide alternate ventilation.

There are probably no physical barriers between the properties under the floorboards. Finding all the gaps and sealing them up is a more appropriate action.

This is the most middle class bullshit advice I have ever read on MN. As if they’ll give a flying fk about any of that. OP - totally ignore that batshit advice… 🙄

Fountofwisdom · 04/03/2025 15:43

We had an aresehole druggie couple move into a flat in our block a few years ago, who smoked weed 24/7 and it stank out the entire building. They were also very unapproachable and intimidating. We reported to their absentee LL but of course they denied they were using weed! Then we reported to the police, who did send a community officer round who spoke to them but they still denied it and no further action was taken.

It was very very stressful for months but thankfully they eventually did a moonlight flyer after not paying rent for months. So I completely sympathise with your situation.

There is nothing to be gained by putting a note through their door, you are not dealing with reasonable people. Report to the police that you believe cannabis is being grown and/or sold from the address and the police will definitely investigate.

Also report to your council. Other neighbours will be able to smell it too, so they won’t know who reported them. If they are indeed growing or dealing, they will be arrested and hopefully they will move on.

Such a horrible situation for you, sending hugs.

PickyTits · 04/03/2025 15:42

I had this before. I didn't know which house it was coming from though so I went knocking everyone's doors.

Everyone denied it.

I called the police and they said they'd be around doing walks in the area and if they smelt it then they'd investigate because they often get warrants to search a property just from smelling it, I was shocked.

Next day the police walked past so they were definitely checking.

Meantime I wrote letters and posted them through letter boxes, only did a couple of houses to try to narrow it down.
It worked overnight.

Next time I saw the police officers I told them and they were shocked that it had worked!

I wouldn't actually accuse them individually, just address it to whom it may concern and make out you're posting to several neighbours.

I would put in the letter that there's been a strong smell of weed that is getting into your house. Unfortunately even with windows closed the smell is getting into your child's bedroom and you're concerned about the smell clinging to soft furnishings and clothing. I said that in mine. I also stated they were welcome to come around and smell for themselves how bad the situation was, what address I lived in and that should the matter not be resolved I would contact my own landlord to see what they could do to better seal the property so the smell couldn't get in.

I think it helped that I wasn't on the offense straight from the off and said I would take measures to resolve the issue from my end if it continued. I think it was the right approach, never had an issue since anyway.

ShamrockShenanigans · 04/03/2025 15:34

I agree, I think most weed smokers are anything but volatile.

As much as I hate the stink, I'd much rather bump into them when the clubs are kicking out in town at 2am, than the pissed up louts who want to fight anyone who looks at their kebab 👀

AubernFable · 04/03/2025 14:36

ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 04/03/2025 11:17

You'd be extremely surprised at the number of 'normal' professional people who smoke weed indoors.
It's as baffling as drinking wine indoors, or going out to spend loads on drink in a wine bar or similar.
People who smoke weed are far more tolerant than most of the vices of others.

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Completely agree with this. I saw a PP describe stoners as volatile and laughed out loud a little. Some of the stoners I know are a retired teacher in her 60s, a wide-eyed university student studying to be a vet, and a computer nerd who earns more than everyone I know. None of them are antisocial, aggressive, or anything like what people on this thread expect someone who smokes to be.

ArtTheClown · 04/03/2025 13:51

But then I don't live in UK where they smoke skunk, even smelling it in a bag made me almost fall over backwards. Disgusting stuff.

The smell is really something else. Like bad BO. I was in the dentist waiting room last week and a man came in and the wall of smell off him just hit me from several metres away. I was so sorry for my dentist having to get up close to that.

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