Smokers in downstairs flat

[Maybebabybee]

We live in a converted first floor flat (owned) and there are two flats downstairs (both rented, I've met the landlord a couple of times). No issues with any of the people who live there til the past week when a new couple moved in to one of them and now the entire communal hallway, our stairs and living room stink of smoke.

I actually don't have a problem with cigarette smoke TBH (former smoker) but I do have a problem with it in my flat.

Is there anything I can do?

Are they smoking in the communal areas? I believe that is not permitted in the UK now so speak to the landlord.

No I don't think so just in their flat

I very much doubt smoking is permitted by the terms of their lease though; they don't own the flat.

Tell the landlord. Smoking indoors makes everything stink and heavy smoking will mean the place needs deep cleaning and redecorating. Hopefully the landlord will inspect, especially if it's a newish tenancy. I would not be surprised to find they are smoking in the hallway.

Maybe the landlord allows it (but I doubt it!) I would probably let him know.

I find that the house smells vaguely of smoke even if someone has been smoking just outside with the door open. Could they be doing this sort of thing?

Another vote for telling the landlord. Smoking in your own home is all well and good but when it affects others it needs addressing.

No definitely not smoking outside, I looked

The fire risk also concerns me.

I will speak to them first and ask if they mind smoking outside, before I speak to the landlord

If they smoke outside you can bet it will be under your window and there will be filth everywhere. Smokers often lose the ability to walk far and to pick up litter.

Tell the landlord, his problem too.

as you own your flat, it may be worth your time to take up the floors and block all cracks and gaps. It will come up through holes in the ceiling where lighting fittings (especially vile downlighters) have holes, and around pipes especially.

You can buy some pink expanding foam (pink is fire grade) to seal the holes and gaps. Tape them first to prevent foam oozing through to your neighbours' flat. You can buy plasterers mesh tape, which they use for cracks and joins.

You might like to take the opportunity to lay dense fibreglass batts under your floors, they will muffle sound a bit and prevent draughts and reduce airflow. Hoover it out as tape and foam will not stick to dirt.

Well I asked them but as it's raining they seem to think that opening the window is sufficient enough

Yep, smokers are also soluble in water.

Addicts, no point arguing. Tell their landlord but if they've just moved in it will be months before any action can be taken. Tenancy breach is very difficult to get past a judge. Hope you aren't in Scotland, no sec 21 there now so they will be almost impossible to evict.

Nope I'm in London. I smelt smoke last weekend (not as strongly) but nothing since so maybe they are just weekend smokers.

I really don't think all smokers are like this, my other neighbours go outdoors every time they want a ciggie!!

Poor you. All 3 of my neighbours smoke - outside, but the smell comes into my flat and it is disgusting and now we have a little one which makes it worse. I really sympathise. Have you tried to talk to them?

I have the same problem. Made worse by the fact that I told the letting manager and the tenants sweat blind they aren’t doing it. We’re gradually insulating our flat but it’s still nasty coming into the communal stair and getting a blast of fag mixed with cheap air freshener. I feel for you!

We hope to sell in the next year and this will really devalue the flat arghhhhh