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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask neighbours to stop spraying air freshener in the hall?

29 replies

LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 13:53

I’ve just moved into a nice block of flats it’s great neighbours are lovely etc my only issue is someone at least twice daily sprays air freshers in the communal hall I swear the must walk up and down the stairs spraying it as it’s just as bad at my door on the second floor as at the front door.

I’m allergic to a lot of perfumes and it’s awful every time I have to come and go and even around my front door I sneeze because of it.

Would I be unreasonable to put a note up asking people to lay off the air fresheners because of allergies. I don’t want to cause issues as the new person but it’s awful I’m having to take my inhaler that I normally only need when I get ill and my face is breaking out because of it will have to start on daily antihistamines soon as the more I’m exposed the worse I know it will get.

OP posts:
7238SM · 02/08/2026 13:57

Do you know why they are doing it? What are they covering up?

Is there a weed smoker in the block, someone who cooks pungent food, dead body in their flat? 😬

Bonkers1966 · 02/08/2026 13:58

I would hate this. Try to locate the person who is doing it and have a word. There might be a reason for it. Like they are a runner and are convinced they are stinky 😔 🤢

theneighboureatmysalad · 02/08/2026 14:02

I agree, they should spray in their own flat if they have dead bodies to hide, it's a disgusting habit.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 02/08/2026 14:09

Maybe they go into the hallway to fart?

MissMoneyFairy · 02/08/2026 14:11

I'd speak to them if you know who it is, or the residents association.

LongDistanceClara44 · 02/08/2026 14:52

Is it definitely not one of those plug in things that sprays every few minutes on a timer?

Original poster
LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 15:08

LongDistanceClara44 · 02/08/2026 14:52

Is it definitely not one of those plug in things that sprays every few minutes on a timer?

I’ve hunted everywhere for one of them but can’t find it and it seems to be twice a day it’s worse it’s completely over powering.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 15:09

theneighboureatmysalad · 02/08/2026 14:02

I agree, they should spray in their own flat if they have dead bodies to hide, it's a disgusting habit.

Weirdly it’s worst on the ground floor and top floor not so bad on the middle floor. I’ve located two air fresheners in a plastic plant but they have no smell left! The kitchens are all as far as it’s possible to be from the front doors of the flats so no food smell, there is definitely a weed smoker but on the middle floor where the air freshener is less! Must be a dead body!

OP posts:
MimiEva · 02/08/2026 15:10

Suggest an alternative that you aren’t allergic to. If it’s expensive, offer to pay for it.

Original poster
LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 15:11

MimiEva · 02/08/2026 15:10

Suggest an alternative that you aren’t allergic to. If it’s expensive, offer to pay for it.

I considered this. Just need to find out who it is or leave a note on the notice board.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 15:12

MissMoneyFairy · 02/08/2026 14:11

I'd speak to them if you know who it is, or the residents association.

No idea who it is and no residents association, just a factor for repairs and cleaning, no air freshener in the cleaners cupboard.

OP posts:
BillieWiper · 02/08/2026 15:32

LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 15:11

I considered this. Just need to find out who it is or leave a note on the notice board.

Show quote history

Yeah just put up a note and maybe even leave a bottle of natural air freshener out and say it's for communal use? You could attach it to the wall with sticky strip thing?

If you just politely state it's great to want the place smelling pleasant, but you're allergic to the chemicals in commercial spays. So you've supplied an alternative.

MissMoneyFairy · 02/08/2026 19:46

LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 15:12

No idea who it is and no residents association, just a factor for repairs and cleaning, no air freshener in the cleaners cupboard.

Show quote history

Speak to the Factor, they are responsible for maintenance and cleaning so could let the residents know not to use sprays in communal areas,

burnoutbabe · 02/08/2026 20:23

I have had to do this in our communal hallway. Had to put fresheners out as there is a nasty smell of cigarettes- particularly since we have upgraded fire doors so nothing is left open anymore heading to no escape in inner hallways.

as I can’t tell anyone not to smoke in their flat, air fresheners in the hallway is only option.

MissMoneyFairy · 02/08/2026 20:27

burnoutbabe · 02/08/2026 20:23

I have had to do this in our communal hallway. Had to put fresheners out as there is a nasty smell of cigarettes- particularly since we have upgraded fire doors so nothing is left open anymore heading to no escape in inner hallways.

as I can’t tell anyone not to smoke in their flat, air fresheners in the hallway is only option.

You can buy neutrodol gel which isn't so.bad, air freshener sprays don't eliminate the smell

LBFseBrom · 02/08/2026 20:30

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 02/08/2026 14:09

Maybe they go into the hallway to fart?

That made me laugh because when I go into the hallway, I often do that - quite spontaneously. I do live alone though.

LBFseBrom · 02/08/2026 20:31

Would one of those plug in air fresheners bother you?

Mumtotornadoes · 02/08/2026 20:33

God I would hate this. I have asthma. We are an aerosol free home.

The idea of you buying air freshener for them is bonkers.

They shouldn't be spraying their shit in a communal space. It's just as antisocial as smoking.

I would put up signs but there must be a building manager surely? Or put notes under everyone's doors. Just saying pressed do not spray your air fresheners in the communal hall ways, some people have allergies and health issues that means aerosols can make them ill.

Pearlstillsinging · 02/08/2026 20:35

I'd be absolutely livid OP. I'm severely allergic to perfume and ime thete ate no airfresheners that don't contain chemicals. Nobody should be spraying anything outside their own front door, no matter what smell they object to In the communal areas.

Itsalittlebitwarm · 02/08/2026 20:37

No harm putting up a note, that seems to be the protocol for adult communication. Yes, I am a person who has recently got an extra job in an adult environment to fill in my day off and can't believe the signs such as 'please wash your dishes after use, there isn't a washing fairy'.

As a teacher, the amount of students who do a quick spray of perfume/deodorant before going to next lesson is debilitating! Though prohibited, they do it, and yes I would love to be a search of bags before school and ever lesson but this isn't done. Left in your room, windows only open a crack, my advice is to get a handheld fan while walking upstairs. It's the only thing I can do to waft it away from me and cool my anger to move on to the next class who do the same...

Then walking down corridors with no windows, AC, basically any circulation of air with 1600 young people is suffocating. Poor me and poor them, it's bloody horrible 😢

burnoutbabe · 02/08/2026 20:39

MissMoneyFairy · 02/08/2026 20:27

You can buy neutrodol gel which isn't so.bad, air freshener sprays don't eliminate the smell

Show quote history

Yes that’s the one I am using, to hopefully soak up the lingering smells.

Noodles1234 · 05/08/2026 18:14

Does someone smoke weed and someone else hates the pungent smell?

Mermaidmusing · 05/08/2026 18:41

Noodles1234 · 05/08/2026 18:14

Does someone smoke weed and someone else hates the pungent smell?

I’d say this is what is going on. I’d be far more annoyed by the weed smoker than the aerosol. Far more pervasive too. If you can’t smell the air freshener inside your actual flat, is it really worth kicking up a fuss about? Surely you only smell it for the 30 seconds it takes you to go in or out of the building?

Daisymay1000 · 05/08/2026 18:42

Oh come on it’s air fresher theyr not farting. Probably just trying to keep it nice and fresh for everyone

Mumberger · 05/08/2026 19:49

LadyInRainbow · 02/08/2026 13:53

I’ve just moved into a nice block of flats it’s great neighbours are lovely etc my only issue is someone at least twice daily sprays air freshers in the communal hall I swear the must walk up and down the stairs spraying it as it’s just as bad at my door on the second floor as at the front door.

I’m allergic to a lot of perfumes and it’s awful every time I have to come and go and even around my front door I sneeze because of it.

Would I be unreasonable to put a note up asking people to lay off the air fresheners because of allergies. I don’t want to cause issues as the new person but it’s awful I’m having to take my inhaler that I normally only need when I get ill and my face is breaking out because of it will have to start on daily antihistamines soon as the more I’m exposed the worse I know it will get.

No as it turns out I'm also allergic to some of them.. they make me cough a lot and I can't catch my breath

I swear they must have change some of the ingredients in the past 10 years as I didn't really have this before.

I had to go to the doctors 2 years ago and get lung tests and have a chest scan because I had a cough for months on end and couldn't do a thing as I had no energy to do it because of the coughing.

I still don't know for sure but I think it was plug in perfumes I bought for our house as I removed them and it gradually got better after months of wondering if it was something very serious.

Tell fhem to stop open the hall windows if you can.