Neighbors/smoking

its likely that there isnt much you can do. if the landlord allows smoking or whatever in the place, theres likely nothing that you can do.

however, look into LAWS that prohibit smoking in businesses. i dont know if that includes rental property or not?

soooo the bad news is you might have to move. the good news is that you should be able to find a place that doesnt allow smoking or has more appropriate neighbors. :(
good luck

I would go to the police. If you go to the landlord and he says something to them, they most likely arent going to stop and then they will know who called the landlord. If you call the police, they have to come out and it can be anonymous.

I would first talk to your neighbors. It is time to get comfortable talking to them. Explain about your daughter's asthma, and let that be the hook you hang your appeal on. You know what they are doing is illegal, and so do they, so hammering on that will not do any good. The question to ask yourself is, do you want them to stop smoking in areas that affect you and your family, or do you want social services to handle them. If you talk to them first, you give them the opportunity to make that choice and they will either stop or suffer the consequences. The police will not be able to swoop in and fix your problem with your neighbors because that isn't how the law works, so try to remedy the situation first on your own. If you are going to try to stop their behavior, and you are right to do so, then whether or not they know that you are the complaintant is not to be considered.

I would first contact the landlord and let him know. If he's not the nicest, maybe he'll do something about it. If he doesn't do anything about it, and you smell it again. Call the cops. I'm sure your lease has a illegal drugs clause, so if they're busted they have to move out!

I just went through this same thing. Call the police and tell them what's going on. You can also call Child Protection with your concerns and they will investigate. Both calls are completely anonymous.

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I would talk to the neighbors. No reason to mess with anything unnecessary if just talking to them can solve it. If they don't know there is an issue then how can they fix it? Maybe if they get their own air filter in their basement, you wont even notice. Basements are moldy places filled with spores, it would do everyone good to keep a air filter and a dehumidifier in their basements anyways. If the conversation can be kept neutral it could all work out. If it goes downhill and they continue, the ball was in there court and you can report it. By the way, in most states, its not actually illegal to have been "high" on pot, police would have to have a warrant to search and catch them with evidence on it. If they have to be caught on it(not being considerate enough to resolve this between neighbors) you would want to keep records so the police would take it more seriously.
Unless they seem like bad parents, I don't see much reason to call child services for now. There are worse parents out there than ones that smoke in their basements, why break up their family for it.

Unforunately there isn't much you can do. While I agree with your misfortune so long as they are in their own home you can not dictate what they can or can not do. If this really bothers you the only option may be to move. I live in an apt building where there is alot ethnic cooking which the smell drives me nuts but when speaking with management she agreed but again you can not tell them what to cook.

If you know they are doing something illegal I would just call the cops. If you speak to the landlord (and he's like you say), it may just cause more harm than good.

Otherwise, just move as soon as your contract is up!

I would go tot the landlord first. If he doesn't do anything, call the police and ask what can be done. If your neighbors are smoking something illegal, the cops will probably step in.

Hi S.,

My opinion I would get child services involved or even the police. If you notice the kids are not clean or seem to be ignored I would get child services involved.
Maybe call the non-emergency police and ask what to do. You still have to inform your landlord even if he is a bit of a grouch.
You have every right to complain you pay rent there too and this is a danger to your children. You are just protecting what is important to you.
best of luck,
B.

On top of all the advice you are getting regarding stopping the problem, I would recommend that you get a HEPA air filter in your asthmatic child's room. We bought one for our rental unit as we have an asthmatic child currently living in what appears to be a very old dusty, musty home. We bought a Honeywell version that we do not need to replace filters on (way cheaper in the long run) for less than $200...and some insurances and spending accounts cover them (mine did once I got a prescription from my Dr. for it).

I would think it's perfectly ok to say something to the landlord. After all, you live there, it's your home & you have rights too. Besides, I would think the landlord would appreciate you coming forward & sharing this info. If I was a landlord, I would certainly want to know...

I don't know too many polite potheads that are going to listen to you if you ask them to smoke elsewhere. That said, I'd start with the landlord...say you smell the smoke coming from next door in your basement and want to know if there's anything they can do about it or if he thinks they'd listen to you if you chat with them. I wouldn't even say it's pot..just say smoke at first and see what happens.

you are in a tough situation. Since neighbors will be a problem while living in a shared wall place like yours have you thought about maybe some kind of smoke elemanator in your basement? I think you'd have the same problem mo matter what was being smoked and unless these are smoke free buildings you have no control over the smoke odor.

I'm not sure what the best way to deal with this is but this is something you have to do something about!! Breathing that smoke is VERY harmful and you don't want your kids to suffer from it. Don't feel bad about calling the police, but if you don't, you need to move or do whatever to protect your children, and really your neighbors are in the wrong and you shouldn't have to move.

I have the same problem. I rent a townhouse. I've had "weed" come through the walls over into my daughter's bedroom, and my neighbors on both sides of me smoke. It comes right through the walls. I can sit on my couch and smell it clear as day. It drives me insane. Both my kids were preemies and have respitory problems too. My baby just had a asthma attack last week and ended up in the ER. My landlord doesn't care, hard to prove etc... I just alot of air freshner and open the windows to air out alot. We are in a townhouse, I have my own furnace,central air and we donot share venting system or anything. We just have real thin walls. I can hear everyting in their houses too.It's a shame but I don't think there is anything you can do. The landlord cannot make them stop smoking. My one neighbor let's his teenage children smoke too just thinking about that bothers me.

Good advise - mostly. Here is another option. Play stupid. Spark up conversation with the neighbors and tell them that you think your unit(s) must have a gas, septic, whatever leak because you smell this offensive smoke like smell coming from your basement walls you are planning on calling the gas company, electric company, polution control, whatever come over and check it out and would be willing to have them come and check out their basement too if they would like- or are they experiencing the same thing. Let them know that the reason you are wanting to "check it out" now is because you have a daughter with asthma and with the "closed window winter" season you are concerned that you will not be able to air out what ever that "smell" is during the winter and are concerned for her health.

If they are smoking MJ or whatever they may be unaware that it can "float" over into your walls and this may make them think twice. They may confess, may deny, whatever but at least they will think you are inoccently wanting the smell investigated and not trying to "report" them. If it continues then go ahead and call the "authorities" whomever and report that you have a smell that is concerning to you. You don't have to confess that you believe the neighbors are doing drugs - I am sure the authorities can fingure that out on their own. This way you won't be the "bad" guy but yet still will get results.

Best of luck with your situation
C.