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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbours smoking driving us mad!

130 replies

mag2305 · 09/06/2021 15:56

Our neighbours are renting the house next door. We live in an old terraced cottage so our garden is really close to theirs and small too so no real distance between us. It's a young mum and dad plus two little ones under 3. From about 8am to at least 8pm, they come outside to smoke pretty continuously, either together or separately. As the weather is so warm, we like to have windows open but can't because the cigarette smell is coming through all the time. If we sit outside, it's drifting over. I'm pregnant and have a young child so I feel even more aware of it. They're very young parents and I kind of feel for them as they don't appear to work, neither drives and so they're both stuck at home a lot.
But we really want to say something about the smoking but don't know if we have a right to? Or is it going to cause problems? And I do wonder, even if I said, I'm pregnant and have a toddler, could they see the problem anyway as they smoke over their own little ones outside!
Awkward!! Any thoughts?

OP posts:
daisymill · 09/06/2021 15:58

Yanbu to find it annoying, I would too. Unfortunately though it's their garden and I don't think there is anything you can do to stop them. Might be worth a mention but if they smoke around their own children I doubt they'd care sadly

ComDummings · 09/06/2021 16:00

It’s annoying but I don’t think there’s much you can do, they’re free to smoke on their own property (and yes, even though they’re renting it’s their home).

gamerchick · 09/06/2021 16:04

Ah the annual I'm pregnant smoking thread. Now I know it's summer Grin

KnottedFern · 09/06/2021 16:07

Renting, young parents who don't work, completely irrelevant and very judgy of you. If you find their smoking an issue talk to them about it.

AllTheCakes · 09/06/2021 16:07

I would hate it too, but I don’t think there’s much you can do really.

Moonshine11 · 09/06/2021 16:08

Nothing you can do whilst their in their own garden.
As pp I don’t think we needed to know they don’t work, don’t drive etc

AlackAlasAlackaday · 09/06/2021 16:09

Nothing to be done I’m afraid.

Whatthefucculent · 09/06/2021 16:14

Your faux concern for them comes across as very condescending. Not sure what you can do really, it's not illegal for them to smoke in their garden. Maybe sit further away or out front?

haveaday · 09/06/2021 16:15

I have the same problem, except my neighbours are young men sharing and they smoke cannabis from 8am - midnight constantly. I have thought about contacting the landlord but I dunno cos it's only going to cause problems.

Moonshine11 · 09/06/2021 16:15

You asking them to stop smoking in their garden is like them asking you not to sit in your garden

omgthepain · 09/06/2021 16:17

I'd phone the letting agent who rents the house and tell them

DrNo007 · 09/06/2021 16:17

Try a very polite request that they stand a bit further away to smoke? It may make a difference to how much you can smell it. If they are reasonable people they will do it to avoid upsetting neighbours.

x2boys · 09/06/2021 16:19

@omgthepain

I'd phone the letting agent who rents the house and tell them
What do you think that's going to do ?
Lochroy · 09/06/2021 16:21

I understand where you're coming from, but as there's not much you can do, the best you can hope for is if they always smoke next to the house, ask nicely if, while it's so hot and you have your windows open, could they smoke at the end of the garden.

Tiramiwho · 09/06/2021 16:24

@KnottedFern

Renting, young parents who don't work, completely irrelevant and very judgy of you. If you find their smoking an issue talk to them about it.
Yes, it struck me too. Sorry but It came across as if are looking down on them for their apparent circumstances (no job, too poor to own a car?) Aswell as life choices. If I was in their situation I think I would smoke too. I agree that it's difficult though. I would try to ask them very nicely if they would mind moving across the garden? Mentioning you are pregnant. It's tricky, they aren't actually doing anything illegal...yet Hmm
bananaboats · 09/06/2021 16:26

Our neighbours are the same but we are upstairs they are downstairs so directly below our windows they are retired so also home all day. Unforch nothing much you can do about it and if they are otherwise good neighbours not worth the hassle

veeeeh · 09/06/2021 16:26

Are you at home all day also OP? If so, go out and get a job LOL, then you will only have to bear the smoke for a short time. You appear to know they smoke for a twelve hour window during the day/evening.... how is that?

Before anyone has a go, I am being ironic here. Anyway, nothing you can do really apart from asking them to desist or move their smoking perch downwind.

Onceuponatime1818 · 09/06/2021 16:28

I hope all cities go smoke free like some are planning to 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾 It’s revolting

FindingMeno · 09/06/2021 16:28

Flipping heck, its a bit daft when people get the hump about people smoking outdoors in their garden.
I get that you may not like it, op, but live and let live, eh?

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/06/2021 16:30
Hmm
Aprilx · 09/06/2021 16:30

@omgthepain

I'd phone the letting agent who rents the house and tell them
As the letting agent / landlord, I would be delighted to hear they are smoking outside.
Aprilx · 09/06/2021 16:31
  • rather than inside I mean.
murbblurb · 09/06/2021 16:31

Unfortunately turd burning is legal and turd burners are not known for their consideration. They do die a bit earlier and pay lots of extra tax.

Even if the landlord didn't want smokers, the only remedy is eviction and that takes for ever.

I do sympathise, smokers really do stink.

mag2305 · 09/06/2021 16:44

I really didn't mean to be condescending or judgemental at all. I put in my post that I do feel for them. They get really stressed with the children (I can totally empathise with that), they don't have family round to help, etc. We don't want to cause a problem. But it's all day long. I think what I was getting at, is because they don't work or drive, there's no time in the day when one or both aren't out there. Even if we have an hour in a day to open windows or sit in the garden, that would be something.
OK, the fact they're young is irrelevant. Sorry if that caused any offence. I wasn't judging them on that. Promise.

OP posts:
Moorelewis · 09/06/2021 16:46

At least it's not cannabis. Our neighbours smoke it all day. Can't hang any washing out and if the windows are open, the whole house smells! Honestly OP there's nothing you can do. I wouldn't even say anything to them.

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