Council not enforcing smoking ban in our 'home'...

[zephyrcat]

Hi all, I have been scouring the web for ages trying to find out what to do about people smoking where we live.

We currently live in a council owned Maisonette on the top (3rd) floor of a block. Other residents smoke in the communal stairways/corridors and I hate it with a passion. There are no 'No Smoking' signs displayed anywhere in the building or on the entrance and I need to know what to do.

This is the latest in a list of things going on that I am trying to get our children away from, I don't want to simply talk to the Council as they will come along and put signs up and nothing will change - I need to know who to report the Council too.

Can anyone please help? TIA :)

If you don't tell the council what is going on, how can you criticise them for not doing anything about it? It would either be environmental health or housing that would deal with it, I'd have thought.

The Council are aware that there are people smoking in the building, I have contacted them on several occasions explaining why this is not a suitable housing solution for families with children. The Council are overall negligent of many things and so I want them to be reported for it.

I think you can ask them to put signs up but I don't think that means the housing is unsuitable for people with children, sorry.

they won't move you because of the smoking thing, so I wouldn't even bother going down that route if that is what you are thinking?

You should get them to put up signs or do it yourself.

Have you spoken to the other residents and asked them not to smoke?

I sympathise with you, but if you are thinking that this will be grounds for you to get a new place - it won't, I assure you.

Agree, they aren't going to move us because of the smoking thing, but as I say, this is on the end of a very long list of issues here!

Why do you believe that there is a no smoking policy for communal areas? If there is I would be surprised as it would be the only housing block I have known to have one.

What kind of standard did you expect from a council block? There is a reason why almost no-one wants to live in them, you know. If smoking (rather than people shooting up) is your biggest compaint then you should count yourself lucky.

I'm pretty sure that communal areas in residential buildings are supposed to have 'no smoking' signs by law and it's the council's responsibility to act if residents are smoking in these areas, otherwise they face fines.

I think you do need to speak to the council first and get the signage put up, which might be enough, then if things don't improve, contact environmental health.

this site looks useful.

darleneoconnor - 'almost no-one wants to live in them' - are you kidding? Have you any idea how long the waiting lists are for council properties? I know loads of people stuck in sub-standard private rented accommodation who would love a council property.

darleneoconnor.. not everyone who lives in a council flat is a bloody junkie

darleneoconnor - believe me, I am doing everything I possibly can to get my family out of this block. There are drugs dealt from the block, needles been found in the basements, smashed windows, parties, broken bottles, urine, spit... you name it.

Smoking is a small part of a very big issue here, but the Council are so flippant and speak to me as if because we have to live here we should 'fit in' and put up with it. That is why I am so determined to take the smoking issue over their heads.

Thank you PlentyofParsnips :)