https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:13:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-718180 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:09:09 +0000 LindsayInNY 718180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: We lit candles over the weekend and that seemed to help. I saw an old apartment listing with a June date so hopefully that means their lease is up soon too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-718144 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:36:38 +0000 spaniellove 718144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: Glad you got the ball rolling on this process! In the meantime, it might help to run an air purifier of some sort if you're moving in soon since dealing with those renters could take some time. What matters most is your health! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-718119 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:20:57 +0000 LindsayInNY 718119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Spoke to the property manager today. Apparently this has been an issue before and according to a nasty letter from renters below, they claim to have stopped smoking inside after March 1. I told her that wasnt the case. They were also threatened with having their lease terminate. She's suppose to stop by this week to sniff things out. I also learned that previous renters from our place complained as did whoever lives across the hall from us. And the super knows of the problem. I'm going to talk to them - I figure strength in numbers will help. Hell hath my scorned husband!! These people have no clue what they're in for ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-716577 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:53:03 +0000 lemondrop 716577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: good luck! I hope you guys find a solution quickly, that is terrible!</p> <p>I have a really hard time with smoke, and it was 100x worse when I was pregnant. I had a student (adult) who was a chain smoker, I literally would get sick after she was in the room for a couple of minutes. My boss changed our smoking policy so that it wasn't allowed on campus and had all smokers Febreeze before entering the school. She ended up quitting because of the smoking policy change, sad, but I was so relieved not to be sick every single afternoon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-716533 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:43:27 +0000 LindsayInNY 716533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swurlygurl: It's annoying because we walked through three times and never really noticed it aside from in the stairway. Now that we close, we notice it in the condo itself. =/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-716526 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:40:25 +0000 swurlygurl 716526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is so frustrating! I hope it's an easy fix for you guys. Before we were able to move into our house we were living in one of those long-term stay hotels, and the smoke in that place was ridiculous. We were hardly ever there because we couldn't stand it. I can't imagine having to live with that problem. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-716523 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:39:57 +0000 LindsayInNY 716523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: True, I just feel like the longer we wait to say something, the less of an issue it appears to be? I dunno. I'm hoping the management office enforces the bylaws and does something so I don't have to find another solution. I'm willing to bet the condo owner is unaware that his tenants are smoking inside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-716504 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:31:30 +0000 Modern Daisy 716504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to say taht you never waive your right to complain! I lived next to a smoker for years and since it was an older building with no ventilation my apartment smelled like smoke whenever she lit up. I wish I had said something but I was too timid and there were no rules about it since we were renting from a slumlord. In our coop we do have neighbors bordering us who smoke, but they go out on their fire escape so we don't smell it at all. We only know they do because we've seen them before when washing our windows. I would definitely expect the same courtesy from anyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-716474 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:24:22 +0000 LindsayInNY 716474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Called the management office this morning and left a vague message... Waiting to hear back now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-714290 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:17:37 +0000 LindsayInNY 714290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I'm hoping that the fact that we're owners and they are tenants below carries some weight. And the fact there are by laws addressing smoking. We'll see!</p> <p>@MrsSCB: We're actually just north of the city in Westchester! I don't know how much the town handles smoking issues or not. :/</p> <p>@looch: It smells like they're smoking in the kitchen/dining room or something since that's where it smells the worst in our place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-714113 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:07:43 +0000 looch 714113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to live above a smoker in my last apartment, with a child. I noticed that he/she smoked on the balcony, so we made sure to put LO in an area of the house where the smoke didn't waft up. I have no idea if they smoked inside or just on the balcony, because I never smelled it inside.</p> <p>I'd also suggest getting an air purifier, they can also help alleviate some of the smell/particles in the air. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-714082 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:41:44 +0000 MrsSCB 714082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, I'm sorry, smoke really bothers me too so I understand what you're dealing with! I definitely would not hesitate to complain. If your new place is in NYC (just assuming that from your username!) I think it's definitely a positive that the city is pretty strict on smoking. You may have already seen this, but I found this on the city's website and it could be helpful <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/smoke/shs-in-residences.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/smoke/shs-in-residences.pdf</a>. I hope you can come to a good resolution! There's a restaurant at the bottom of my apartment building and the place where the staff often goes out to smoke is the alley right below our window. We ended up going to talk to the manager yesterday to ask him to tell the staff to move farther away from the building, and he was very nice about it. I know what you're dealing with and it's very frustrating! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-714048 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:17:55 +0000 spaniellove 714048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: I would try to get a feel for how they handle owners vs renters before playing the owner card...I've found that some properties completely cater to owners and some give renters equal rights since they are important to the property's stability. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-714033 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:06:06 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 714033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an asthma patient with this same issue. We've been fighting a losing battle in our case, but I keep trying! Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-714001 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:33:50 +0000 Pirouette 714001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: oh sorry I missed that. I would definitely hold off on playing the lawyer card since you are new in the building and don't know yet how accommodating they will be. I'd first contact the condo and see what your options are, then see how they respond. If they don't react timely then you can start threatening lawyer action. I'm so sorry, I'm very sensitive to smoke too, and it is so terrible when there's a smoker in the building. Also, since this could take a while to resolve (hopefully not!) I'd get on it quickly since you are ttc...although if you are pregnant you may have a stronger case! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713994 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:24:32 +0000 LindsayInNY 713994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: Luckily DH and I are both lawyers so I can fight this a little more than most! It's a condo that we own. There are 8 in the building and a total of 88 throughout the complex (12 buildings). Roughly half are owner occupied while the other half are rented. From what I saw on google, I think the place downstairs is rented. If so, the condo board will/should be more likely to help us out since we're owners. I could put up a major fuss otherwise if they don't - complain at board meetings, I could sue the board, owner and tenant. I could be really difficult if I want! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713988 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:15:18 +0000 sorrycharlie 713988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: I have no legal background whatsoever so take this with a grain of salt, lol - but I'd personally ask them what exactly constitutes disturbing others/common areas or nuisance to others. Who decides that, the smoker? the landlord? the other tenants? if smoking is not allowed in the common areas, there must be a reason - what is the reason? smell of smoke in the common area is just as bad. say to you, the smell in the common areas and in your home is a health hazard in addition to being a nuisance. they should be trying to keep all of the occupants happy, not only the smoker. </p> <p>sorry if that sounded totally jumbled. those are just thoughts that popped into my head. we had a recent issue with a car dealer and I immediately told them how unhappy I was, and that I planned to involve a lawyer if they didn't work with us, in addition to reporting them to the BBB and calling news stations. They did work with us. That may not have been the best or most adult way to go about it, LOL, and that may not work in a condo.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713982 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:06:56 +0000 LindsayInNY 713982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: Exactly! What's going to happen when /if in pregnant or there's an infant?! I just hope they enforce their by laws and make this is a simple solution. I don't want to have to get difficult with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713977 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:03:47 +0000 ladybee 713977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: I hate the smell if smoke. I'd be doing the same thing you are. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713973 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:02:26 +0000 sorrycharlie 713973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would absolutely complain until they did something. It's obviously disturbing you guys and within a common area (hallway smell?). And if you guys have children there, then second hand smoke is another issue for the baby (in addition to you guys). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713966 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:54:56 +0000 LindsayInNY 713966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: I think it's coming up through the floor though :/ DH is super sensitive to smoke and I have bad allergies. I don't want to play the attorney card so hopefully the condo assn does something on their own? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713910 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:54:27 +0000 Pirouette 713910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a smoker on my floor in my coop ( a 90+ old lady who chain smoked ugh!). After a few complaints (by several people), they weatherproofed her door all around - they did a great job and I rarely smelled it after that. I also had a neighbor that smoked occasionally and I've tried the whole wet towel at the bottom of the door trick, which worked a little for a night or two! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713908 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:53:37 +0000 spaniellove 713908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNYC: If you smell it in the hallway, it might be coming in around your front door and the door sweep could help? As an alternative, the building may want to put the door sweep on the smoker's door...which they could get around by opening the window. Hope you're able to find a solution so you can enjoy your new condo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713725 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 21:28:18 +0000 LindsayInNY 713725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I don't know where exactly it's coming in. I think just through the floor?</p> <p>@spaniellove: @LaughLines: Luckily there aren't any shared ducts/vents. It's a prewar building with stream heat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713639 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:38:46 +0000 Mrs. Pen 713639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh gosh! I'm sorry you're dealing with that :(</p> <p>Our apartment building allows smoking outside and the lady who below us smokes all the time and so if we ever have our windows open, the smoke wafts into our house and its just awful. I feel guilty opening the windows because I have a toddler. </p> <p>Even tho the rule is no smoking in the building, you can always smell which apartments have smokers. It's gross.</p> <p>I would be more likely to bring it up if I owned as well. Good luck talking with management and I hope the issue can be resolved easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713631 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:35:47 +0000 LaughLines 713631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gross. Definitely complain and also look into any smoke smell removing services that may be available (people that come in and spray/clean) and get a quote that you can give the condo association. Putting a dollar value on it will make them take you a bit more seriously I think. If it's coming through the vents you're always going to smell it unless the smoker stops smoking inside. If they have to pay fees they may want to stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713623 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:31:39 +0000 spaniellove 713623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it coming in through your door? I think in my old condo building they would install strips (like weatherstripping) on the door if you noticed smoke odor coming from a neighboring unit. Not sure if your building would do that for you, but if they don't you might be able do that yourself. </p> <p>(Just asked my husband and he said it was a door sweep. He also said if your ductwork is shared it can be a bigger problem.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-above-smoker#post-713602 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:11:42 +0000 LindsayInNY 713602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We closed on our condo on Monday. Including the walk through, we had been in it on three occasions. Today, DH and I went to paint and it smelled like smoke. Bad. I noticed it once before in the common hallway but not the condo itself. I noticed it slightly inside on the walk through but I shrugged it off as a fluke. Today though, DH was borderline ill from it - headachy and everything. </p> <p>Anyone ever been in this situation before? We own now so I won't hesitate to complain. I don't know of there are tenants or owners below us. But the condo by laws say smoking is allowed inside a unit provided it doesn't disturb others or the common areas, isn't a nuisance to others, etc. I'm going to call the management office on Monday. If we wait too long then I feel like we've kinda waived our right to complain. Not sure what will be done or how much complaining I'll have to do in order to get something done. </p>