Weed Smoker in Rental

Varta

The terreced propery connected to mine is privatly rented and within the last 8-9 months has taken up occupency by a chain smoking weed smoker. Consequently, without virtual continuous air movment from fan or keeping the windows open my whole house is saturted with these noxious fumes. It is coming through from the loft. Apparently when these houses were built the cavities in the bricks were not sealed in the loft space and that is were the smell is coming in. I have been complaining to the police and health and safety for months as this is coursing my family health problems but so far no-one has even spoken to the neighbour about his ilegal habit. Thus I was wondering what a) my legal situation is with regard to this neighbours ilegal habit and b) given that his tenent is performing an ilegal act on his prenises is the landlord liable?

Mojisola

Varta wrote: »

It is coming through from the loft.

Apparently when these houses were built the cavities in the bricks were not sealed in the loft space and that is were the smell is coming in.

Can you something about this and stop the problem?

greendoor665

Saturating your whole house with noxious fumes? Come on OP, you're being a bit dramatic here.

The police will not be interested in someone smoking weed on their own home. You have no ability to stop them by contacting the police or any other government body.

The landlord is not liable for anything. They might be interested in the fact the tenant is making their house smell though, so if you can find out who the landlord is you might have some joy contacting them. The landlord might have a word or decide to evict.

If not, you're out of options and should focus on preventing the smell from getting into your house rather than stopping the neighbour smoking.

It wouldn't be any different if they were chain smoking normal cigarettes really.

davidmcn

Varta wrote: »

when these houses were built the cavities in the bricks were not sealed in the loft space and that is where the smell is coming in.

So why don't you seal up the gaps from your side?

given that his tenant is performing an illegal act on his premises is the landlord liable?

Nope.

LadyDee

Local Councillor? They want to be seen to be helping potential supporters. Local newspaper might be interested - the police don't like bad press.

tacpot12

You need a positive pressure ventilation system. They are not too expensive; say about £400. Your landlord might be persuaded to go halves with you on fitting one as they are good insurance against condensation and mold. You will need to make sure that any such system picks up its fresh air from somewhere where it really is fresh - they normally take in air via the loft! No good in your situation.

esuhl

Wouldn't laying down some lagging in the loft stop the "noxious fumes" from coming into the dwelling space?

hazyjo

Keep an eye out for cars which may be dropping it off. The police may be more interested in that - bound to be dealing other stuff too. In Brentwood, they'd drop stuff off at the pub car park, outside the front of the pub, and direct to people's houses. Although next door prob have a backup dealer.

missile

Complain to your local councillor and MP they can and often do "encourage" the police to take action.

Norman_Castle

Presumably there's a wall with gaps around the edge. Block the gaps with loft insulation or screwed up plastic bags. Half an hours work which could solve your problem.

Mr.Generous

The fumes can come in under the floors sometimes too. The smell of skunk most of them smoke now is absolutely disgusting. Had this problem several times renovating property. If it smells all the time your neighbor might be doing a spot of growing. That might interest plod.