To think I should be able to put baby to bed without having to worry about the smell of weed!

[Honeyandlemon19]

So we’re having a bit of an ongoing issue with the house next door to us. The owner decided to rent it out a couple of years ago and it’s been a bit of a headache since. He rented it to a couple who then sublet it to a group of their mates.

These guys were having parties and smoking weed (skunk I think going by the smell) at all hours. This is a quiet cul de sac street with mainly families or older folk so they stuck out like a sore thumb and quite a few neighbours were getting annoyed by the constant noise. Needless to say when landlord found out they were booted out.

He then rented it to a couple who are generally great. But, occasionally we still get a really strong smell of weed in our house even with windows closed etc. My baby woke at 1:30 this morning and when I went into her room it stank of it. This has happened maybe 4 or 5 times over the last few months.

Is this likely to be a residual smell or more likely new neighbours are also smoking it the odd time? Without wanting to sound judgemental or presumptuous, they don’t really seem like the type to smoke it but I know we should never assume these things. The group of lads have been gone a year now so I find it unlikely it would still be from when they were there?

Feel like it would be quite an awkward thing to bring up in conversation. Hubby thinks we should just ask if they’ve noticed any weird smells next time we see them in the driveway or something but we rarely see them. Should I maybe look into a new carpet for baby’s room (our current one doesn’t have a great underlay) and maybe a dehumidifier? Quite upset about it as I should be able to put my baby to bed without worrying about this. There isn’t really anywhere we can move her to either.

Thanks xx

Can you inform the police anonymously and call the tip off line and say drugs in there? They may call to investigate.

You could mention it in passing to the folks but am sure they will take no notice.

Ask them.

Tell them you went into the babies room and there is a smell similar to cannabis, it has happened before a few times, and you are wondering if the smell is travelling from theirs or if you are mistaking the smell for something else.

If they say they aren't smoking you need to look elsewhere to find the cause of the smell. If it is just the babies room that is really bad I would move out until you find the cause.

We’re reluctant to just outright ask them. Neither of us are great with confrontation and if we were wrong that’s really insulting to them and they’ve been pretty good about us having a new baby who screamed pretty much non stop for months.

That’s why hubby was thinking we’d just ask if they’d smelled anything weird like gas/damp or weed in their house and just see what they say.

We are unable to move. We have a mortgage here and in no position financially to get another one.

We have a similar problem, previous house owner swapped the back door to the other side of the house so its right next to our neighbours who habitually smokes weed. I have to close all the windows at the back of the house and im pretty sure theres a vent or hole in the cupboard under our stairs which is next to their kitchen because that always stinks of weed aswell. Its annoying. But if its just personal possession, police wont generally get involved unless its a full blown grow.

If they say they aren't smoking you need to look elsewhere to find the cause of the smell.

I wouldn’t just take someone’s word for it. People won’t admit to things that are bothering their neighbours if it means they have to change something about their own life.

I have a similar problem with my neighbours. The bedroom on the wall joined on with their son’s room is unusable at times because of the smell.

Don’t blame you for being upset it’s a truly horrible smell imo and while I don’t care if others smoke or not I don’t want to smell it inside my own home.

You could ask them if they’ve noticed the smell, like your husband suggested, and if they are smoking it in their house too, it might be hint enough to smoke it elsewhere as you can smell it in your house.

I hope you find a way to get rid of the smell for good soon.

Could it study be a grow house?
As in you can strongly smell weed because they are growing indoors under lights?

Hmm I don’t think it’s a grow house. I think I’d be smelling it a lot more often if so. I’m in most of the day with baby. It’s literally been a few times very late at night.

Would a dehumidifier make any difference?

It can linger espically if the house hasn’t been properly cleaned since the old tennants moved out. Highly likely they’re smoking it though, just grab them when they’re out and ask about it and if they are just ask nicely if they can smoke it outside or smoke with a window open at least.

police will do nothing, way too overloaded to deal with all the saddo smokers (if this is what is happening, of course)

the only thing I can think of is to have a chat, say that the previous tenants were druggies and ask if they have noticed any weird smells.

if they are also druggies, let the landlord know - be aware it takes up to a year for eviction. At least he doesn't put up with it.

I’m sure your baby doesn’t care

Perhaps get in contact with your local PCSO? I agree that the police are usually too busy to drop by a house on a whim, but perhaps a patrolling PCSO could advise what to do?