Neighbours smoke smells!

[DespairingHomeowner]

I live in a very socially mixed area, where lots of people smoke cigarettes and also unfortunately weed, including various neighbours... is there anything I can do to get rid of the smell? It’s a poorly converted terrace flat so coming in through vents, chimney, floorboards - not just open windows

Smell also seems to ‘build up’ overnight: does this mean that it’s being grown nearby?

Is there anything I can do to either reduce smell coming in or get rid of it? Neutradol, air purifiers... I’ve tried zoflora (nearly as bad as the weed) and opening windows (ok until someone starts puffing away). Situation much worse since pandemic, not least because I’m always home to breathe it in

Any advice really appreciated- my user name says it all

That sounds awful. Can you block any gaps? Air purifiers are usually good. Use neutralising candles. I use Cooks candies to neutralise dog smells in my home, when our dog gets wet. They work well. Reed diffusers also good.

You really shouldnt have to suffer this shit. Do you have an extractor fan or similar? You could have one fitted that can blow both ways and then set it to pull air from outside. This would hopefully slightly pressurise your flat and discourage the smell from entering. Alternatively just tell them and maybe they will smoke outside instead/be more considerate.

Thank you - It really is.. I think blocking chimney would help so am looking into that, it comes through laminate & floorboards and I’m not really ready for expense of new flooring. Problem with Victorian terraces is they are really one big gap

With the candles is it better to do those with windows closed or does it not really matter?

Extractor fan is a v good idea : I will look into. The complication is that I am thinking of selling, so don’t want to either have a neighbour dispute, or have to declare an issue so want to find a way to make it less intrusive... am dreading winter

I would have window shut if using candle I think. Air the room when no one smoking outside. Feel for you. Horrible situation.

The problem is if someone comes in straight from the fresh air,they will smell it right away for a minute, until their nose gets fed up of it...

I recently fell out with neighbours (they rent, I own my flat) over this. They had 4 people constantly chain smoking in the flat and the balcony and the smoke was coming into my bedroom all day through the windows and the communal corridor and it absolutely stank. It seemed like they were intent on smoking right under /next to my window and the smoke kept blowing back in. I spoke to them politely once to try address this, then less politely a second time which they ignored. Then I complained to the agency that rents them the flat. It turned out they had moved in to more people into the flat (the tenancy was only for a couple) and had lied about not being heavy smokers. They pretty much hate me now and I get nasty looks when I am on my balcony but the other two people moved out after the letting agency said they were coming to inspect the flat and the smell/smoke influx is pretty much non-existent. I don't know if there is a landlord you can complain to. You should not have to breathe somebody's cigarette or dope all day...I never understand why people think it is OK to create this type of nuisance to others.

I have the exact same problem. We live in the middle floor of a 3 storey flat building and the people who live below us smoke. We've mentioned it to them before and suggested they move into the car park to smoke (which is about 1 metre outside their door), which one of them does now but the other still insists on smoking directly below our Juliet balcony

The smell seeps in through the cupboards. We just light candles which usually does the job but it makes our life bloody miserable. The only reason we haven't tried to take it further is because we're hoping to move in the next 6 months

I feel your pain OP, it really is soul destroying

We also have the balcony door open when he's gone in to air the flat out but then there's a risk if you leave it open too long that he'll come out and start smoking again, making the smell worse. It's so ridiculous its almost funny!

Thank you Requinblanc & OptimisticPessimist for sharing your stories - sorry you’ve had this :(

They are HA tenants, I wish I’d kicked up a massive fuss years ago but it’s extra people moving in during lockdown & them smoking huge quantities of skunk that seems to have made it unbearable (was more cigarettes before)

I’m afraid of causing a dispute as would like to sell... am monitoring their comings and goings to work out when can air rooms, have an air purifier with a carbon filter coming today and a de- stinking machine next week

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydroponics-Plug-in-Air-Purifier-Ozone-Generator-Ozonizer-Smell-Odour-Steriliser-/263824576602

Also thinking of getting some wind chimes (inspired by other threads on here) .... seem nice & intrusive