Problems with neighbours in rented accom, what is reasonable?

jordylass

My upstairs neighbour's whole property overlooks my balcony, my daughter is the only smoker in the house and smokes on the balcony, his complaint is that the smoke is going into his windows and stopping him from sleeping. My daughter is 18 and sometimes can be outside smoking until 2am, (I do not approve of this, and also wished she didn't smoke, but she does!). Occasionally one of her siblings will sit outside with her and their chatting is also disturbing him. My neighbour came to the door to discuss it with me, and asked if I could let her smoke in the house/make her go outside/stop her smoking altogether, he did also say that is she sat further away it would help.

I have asked my daughter to sit at the furthest most corner of the balcony when she smokes, and after 11pm, no-one is to go outside with her, nor is she to take her phone with her.

As an aside, the properties have an old ducting heating system which is no longer in use, but in my bathroom which is completely enclosed within the building I can often smell very heavy cigarette smoke (it's not my DD, it's there when I'm home alone I know the neighbour to one side of me is a very heavy smoker and suspect it comes from his property, it's irritating but one of the drawbacks of communal living, but having read on another thread about 'smoke tests' is this something I should have further investigation into for fire safety?

thegirlintheattic

Noise is noise, it doesn't matter what the source is.

As for the smoking, surely the best way to stop any complaints is to send your daughter out of the flat to smoke (might also put her off it into the bargain).

Might be an idea to go up to your neighbour and explain what steps you are taking to sort the problem out.

jordylass

The problem is her smoking outside the flat, on our balcony as he says the smoke goes into his open windows.

aliasojo

jordylass wrote: »

The problem is her smoking outside the flat, on our balcony as he says the smoke goes into his open windows.

Tad unfair that you (I'm assuming?) don't want to smell the smoke in your flat yet the chap upstairs has no choice because your daughter sits outside. Either let her smoke inside or tell her to go downstairs to the entrance away from people's windows.

As for the noise, voices carry just as much as music does. Our old neighbour's son used to sit on the back doorstep on his phone. We heard every word of his conversation and he kept us awake for ages. It's flipping annoying.

jamie11

Put a fan on the balcony. Teach your children sign language.

compliments of solutions inc.

PasturesNew

It's really annoying when anybody's underneath your bedroom window chattering when you're in bed trying to sleep.... can't she go downstairs and out into the garden to smoke? If she thinks that's too hard, then she's not a proper smoker! I'm outside in mid winter, at 4am, in a gale/driving rain..... under an umbrella puffing

jordylass

She can, and may have to if that is the only resolution, but she's 18 and this is inner city london, there is no garden.

jordylass

jamie11 wrote: »

Put a fan on the balcony. Teach your children sign language.

compliments of solutions inc.

Thanks, but I'm pretty sure the noise of the fan would be even more irritating to him

PasturesNew

jordylass wrote: »

She can, and may have to if that is the only resolution, but she's 18 and this is inner city london, there is no garden.

Standing on the street might give income opportunities that'll pay for her habit.

jamie11

Hmm! I was going to ask about a price list, but that would be crass, so I wont.

Tiddlywinks

For gawd sake, try to see it from your neighbour's point of view.

Talking and smoking directly under someone's bedroom window in the early hours of the morning is NOT even remotely considerate. She should smoke indoors, go out onto the street or (novel idea) go to bed at a reasonable hour herself.

As to when your other smoking relatives come to stay... how many can you fit into a flat anyway... how about making them show a bit of consideration as well - your flat, your rules.

Anyway, glad I'm not your neighbour!