Cigarette Smell??

[LeslieG]

I run my licensed daycare out of my apartment home. I have never had a problem with the neighbors below us before, but they recently had people move in with them and now all of a sudden we are smelling cigarette smoke in our apartment. I am SO upset and annoyed about this!!

We can smell the smoke even when we have all the windows closed, and I can smell it the most on our stairs and bathroom (which is not on an outside wall). So my question is: Do you think they are smoking in their apartment? (I have yet to see them smoking outside)

Smoking is not allowed inside, so I guess I'm going to have to call the managers, but I'm nervous to create any animosity b/c I think my daycare kids are a little loud sometimes (which I do my best to keep the noise down) and I don't want them complaining about me.

Help!!

[grandmom]

I have a friend who lived upstairs from a smoker. You could smell smoke on her clothing when she came to visit. It was disgusting. After she moved and washed all her clothing, no smell.

Invite your landlord over to smell it.

[Lyss]

Ugh cigarettes! Definitely talk with your landlord. Maybe ask them if they can say someone was walking by and noticed them smoking so they don't totally know it was you. I used to manage apartments and it can be a difficult thing to resolve unless the manager catches them or the apartment reeks (which I'm sure it does) and has smoke damage

Many times it comes in through vent fans and any areas where you have unsealed pipes coming through the wall (usually bathroom and under sink in kitchen). If it continues ask if your manager can caulk around the pipes. We sealed off our bathroom vent fan in one apartment DH and I lived because no matter how much we complained it still happened (no kids or DCKs at that time though).

If it doesn't get better maybe throw the health hazard card at your landlord and see if they will transfer you or the people down stairs. Its a terrible smell to deal with!

Good luck!