What IS that smell from the flat downstairs?

sjezz

I own a flat in a block and the flat below me is let out to a company that houses people on a temporary basis (think less single vulnerable moms and more fresh from the clink slightly scary young men). So over the last couple years I have had to deal with my fair share of noise and smells from below, including heavy cannabis and cigarette smokers. Smells I am very familiar with by now. However the current smell drifting up through my floorboards and the gaps around the pipes in the kitchen and bathroom is something altogether new. It's awful and smells like rotten veg or as my girlfriend puts it "vegan f*rts" (apologies vegans). She seems to think it is vaping smells, but I thought vaping flavours were supposed to be fruity or like menthol or mint. I thought maybe it was bad cooking smells but it goes on all night every night and is extremely pungent. I can't believe anyone would willingly want to inhale it. I am going to attempt to block up all the gaps in my flat using expanding foam, but smoke will always find a way. The thing is, if it's drugs I can report it, but there are no laws against vaping in your own home. Does anyone know what this smell could be?

[Deleted User]

I don't really see how the slight odour of vaping could make that kind of strong odour.

I once shared a vent with people who liked to cook very smelly mutton, it was overpoweringly unpleasant and led to me moving out.

sjezz

Thanks. At first I thought it was cooking smells. Steaming vegetables or something, but it starts 5 minutes after I hear him arrive home and lasts till I go to bed.


Unfortunately moving out isn't an option for me for a year at least

Fire_Fox

sjezz wrote: »

I own a flat in a block and the flat below me is let out to a company that houses people on a temporary basis (think less single vulnerable moms and more fresh from the clink slightly scary young men). So over the last couple years I have had to deal with my fair share of noise and smells from below, including heavy cannabis and cigarette smokers. Smells I am very familiar with by now. However the current smell drifting up through my floorboards and the gaps around the pipes in the kitchen and bathroom is something altogether new. It's awful and smells like rotten veg or as my girlfriend puts it "vegan f*rts" (apologies vegans). She seems to think it is vaping smells, but I thought vaping flavours were supposed to be fruity or like menthol or mint. I thought maybe it was bad cooking smells but it goes on all night every night and is extremely pungent. I can't believe anyone would willingly want to inhale it. I am going to attempt to block up all the gaps in my flat using expanding foam, but smoke will always find a way. The thing is, if it's drugs I can report it, but there are no laws against vaping in your own home. Does anyone know what this smell could be?

Spice (once legal highs now not legal) can be rank. Many types so rotting veg a possibility I suppose. Spice is rife in prison too.

No expanding foam! :eek: Building Regulations apply to you too. Old and current editions all on the Planning Portal.

Raise you concerns (in writing, Signed For) to the freeholder or their managing agent about BRegs part B Fire Safety/ fire compartments, and Indoor Air Quality (broad topic so cherry pick). Copy to Environmental Health at the local council (read their guidance too).

HOT topics in flats right now, especially high rise blocks (6 floors or 18 metres) or urban areas. See fire FAQs on the LEASE website as well as BRegs.

Who is financially liable depends on where the improvements are needed: IN your flat, IN their flat, in communal space between the floor and ceiling (if any). Check your long lease including the diagrams (or with historic Planning application, on council website dependingn building age.

Close don't prop open any fire doors.

Check your smoke alarms regularly for now.

sjezz

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Spice (once legal highs now not legal) can be rank. Many types so rotting veg a possibility I suppose. Spice is rife in prison too.

No expanding foam! :eek: Building Regulations apply to you too. Old and current editions all on the Planning Portal.

Raise you concerns (in writing, Signed For) to the freeholder or their managing agent about BRegs part B Fire Safety/ fire compartments, and Indoor Air Quality (broad topic so cherry pick). Copy to Environmental Health at the local council (read their guidance too).

HOT topics in flats right now, especially high rise blocks (6 floors or 18 metres) or urban areas. See fire FAQs on the LEASE website as well as BRegs.

Who is financially liable depends on where the improvements are needed: IN your flat, IN their flat, in communal space between the floor and ceiling (if any). Check your long lease including the diagrams (or with historic Planning application, on council website dependingn building age.

Close don't prop open any fire doors.

Check your smoke alarms regularly for now.

Oh dear.


I was only planning on using expanding foam inside my flat (not under floorboards), for example in the cupboard under the sink where most of the smell in the kitchen is getting in. Is this fine or still a fire hazard? When I spoke to the managing agent when a previous tenant below me was a heavy cigarette smoker this is what they advised me so surprising (although they are pretty hopeless about everything!).


I will try what you said about raising my concerns on indoor air quality/fire regs though with the managing agent/freeholder. Thanks.

coffeehound

sjezz wrote: »

Thanks. At first I thought it was cooking smells. Steaming vegetables or something, (

East europeans very often cook what looks like pickled cabbage out of a jar, that apparently needs to be cooked on the hob for hours to render it edible. I’ve lived in HMOs where the whole building ends up stunk out by the smell.

Fire_Fox

sjezz wrote: »

I was only planning on using expanding foam inside my flat (not under floorboards), for example in the cupboard under the sink where most of the smell in the kitchen is getting in. Is this fine or still a fire hazard? When I spoke to the managing agent when a previous tenant below me was a heavy cigarette smoker this is what they advised me so surprising (although they are pretty hopeless about everything!).


I will try what you said about raising my concerns on indoor air quality/fire regs though with the managing agent/freeholder. Thanks.

Fire compartments are to stop or slow smoke/ fire/ toxic gases moving between rooms, between flats and between flats and communal areas (inc. safe routes out). This includes movement within wall cavities or floor/ ceiling voids. Materials should be fire resistant.

Obviously older blocks will not meet current safety standards like a new build should. But professionals, leaseholders and tenants still have a legal responsibility to not worsen the situation OR to bring up to current Building Regs. Furthermore your long leave will have covenants not to alter the structure or outer envelope of the flat without written consent of the freeholder or their agent.

IMO you have several problems, including
1. A series of higher risk tenants downstairs, one of whom may disable their fire alarm in order to smoke substances
2. A flat downstairs which is a rubbish fire compartments (smoke and smells get out)
3. A flat you are living in which is a rubbish fire compartment (smells and smoke get in).

A temporary fix may
1. Breach your long lease or render your insurance invalid
2. Still allow smoke, fire or toxic gases to build up the cavities around your flat, until they find another way in, or burst through
3. Hide evidence that there are problems with the downstairs flat, and fire safety generally.