\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Although I rent in a nonsmoking building, my apartment frequently smells like Im chain-puffing Marlboros 24/7. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. If the friendly approach doesnt work, its time to send your neighbor a demand letter. One thing management should be willing to do is send a letter to all occupants reminding them of any nonsmoking policies. You will now receive email updates from the American Lung Association. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. They can avoid smoking in hallways and common areas. The next thing you want to do is make sure that your electrical outlets are covered with plugs to prevent smoke from moving between rooms in the building. Depending on the type of housing you live in, the law in Florida may be on your side. If a policy is consistently being broken, then it is the duty of the landlord or manager to address the problem with the tenant. How Evictions Work: Rules for Landlords and Property Managers. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. You might even wish to get a device to test air quality for smoke saturation to add further data to your complaint. Get advice from a legal center since smokers may not have a right to smoke in apartments (condominiums are different) and landlords in many cases do have the power to ban smoking. Additionally, if you and other concerned neighbors have identified which apartments/condos are responsible for the smoke issues, you can ask management to send notes to those tenants informing them that theyre in violation of their lease or the buildings bylaws. How to Stop Secondhand Smoke Coming Into Your Apartment Download Article methods 1 Sealing Your Apartment 2 Talking to Your Neighbor 3 Contacting Your Landlord Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA Last Updated: September 5, 2022 One place to look is in the MyHome by Freddie Mac database, which allows you to see if your building has a Freddie Mac loan and therefore certain tenant protections. The Smoker Next Door - American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation | no If the troublesome smoker lives in a planned development or a condominium with covenants, conditions, and restrictions ("CC&Rs") prohibiting smoking, then either you or the homeowners' association may take legal action against the smoker. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Additionally, its best to have medical records that show youre being treated for conditions related to the smoke. Run an air purifying filter in your home, and install a window vent fan. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'apartment_school-banner-1','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-apartment_school-banner-1-0'); If your apartment does smell that bad, the easiest fix is going to be for you to air out your apartment completely. We can see it coming in through the vents and smell it in every room. Its Not Oh So Quiet? According to Mayo Clinic, 250 of the 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke are considered toxic. Engage and connect with other neighbors about how secondhand smoke may be affecting them and their families, and work together. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Homeowners and renters can take action against cigarette-smoking neighbors. If possible, consider moving to another property. Tip: See a doctor if the smoke is triggering your asthma, allergies, or other health conditions. Like I mentioned above, outlet covers are a big way of stopping smoke coming through from between adjacent apartments, and are a low cost solution to the smell. Whether the offending chemicals are coming from a neighbor with an adjoining wall in an apartment or a duplex, another house, or the outdoor air, the main strategies are similar. Using padding and tape wont alter the infrastructure of your apartment, so it wont violate your lease. Subscribe to DoNotPay and draw one up in an instant! When a lot of neighbors complain, the landlord may be more motivated to take action. Another avenue: If your HOA has no rules and regulations for cigarette smoke, you can always try to file a nuisance claim yourself. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. ( Merrill v. Bosser, No. DoNotPay has a solution for that too. June 2012. How to Stop Secondhand Smoke Coming Into Your Apartment, https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/mtupp/SFH, https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/tobacco/smokefree-environments/multi-unit-housing/secondhand-smoke.html, https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Public-Health/Healthy-Communities/Tobacco-Prevention/Compliance/Renters-and-Landlords/Guidelines-for-Tenants-Drifting-Smoke/, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/secondhand-smoke.html, evitar que el humo de segunda mano siga entrando a tu apartamento, Evitare che il Fumo Passivo Entri nel tuo Appartamento, empcher la fume de cigarette de pntrer dans un appartement, Verhindern dass Passivrauch in die Wohnung gelangt. For more tips, including how to seal your doors and windows to block secondhand smoke, read on!