Sensitive issue with residents in Apartment block
Discussion
I own a top floor flat in a 3 storey building with 3 flats on each side, so 6 flats in total. I was approached by my neighbour the other day who asked if I had been disturbed by the couple on the ground floor ( I am 2 floors above them). I said I had. They recently had a baby and it screams at all hours, a really high pitched scream which travels through another flat into mine and seems to disturb the whole block. As an uncle to young babies I realise they do cry etc etc. The couple in question keep themselves to themselves and I have rarely seen them. They are Asian and I dont think they speak much english. My neighbour thinks they may be DSS. If they are I think its shocking because these flats are in a very expensive area and easily go for £800 a month on rental ( North of England). The other issue which my neighbour raised and where things get a bit tricky is the stench coming from there flat. It hits you in the face when you walk in the main front door. Its a strong curry smell and is stinking out the whole communual area of the flat. I dont want to come across as racist but the smell is disgusting. I love curries but this is just wrong.
What would be my course of action if any at all?
What would be my course of action if any at all?
DaGuv said:
I own a top floor flat in a 3 storey building with 3 flats on each side, so 6 flats in total. I was approached by my neighbour the other day who asked if I had been disturbed by the couple on the ground floor ( I am 2 floors above them). I said I had. They recently had a baby and it screams at all hours, a really high pitched scream which travels through another flat into mine and seems to disturb the whole block. As an uncle to young babies I realise they do cry etc etc. The couple in question keep themselves to themselves and I have rarely seen them. They are Asian and I dont think they speak much english. My neighbour thinks they may be DSS. If they are I think its shocking because these flats are in a very expensive area and easily go for £800 a month on rental ( North of England). The other issue which my neighbour raised and where things get a bit tricky is the stench coming from there flat. It hits you in the face when you walk in the main front door. Its a strong curry smell and is stinking out the whole communual area of the flat. I dont want to come across as racist but the smell is disgusting. I love curries but this is just wrong.
What would be my course of action if any at all?
Move country. Welcome to England 2010.What would be my course of action if any at all?
Edited by Soovy on Wednesday 21st April 20:27
It's a difficult one. Hopefully, the baby will change it's sleeping /feeding pattern so that will just go away. It will be bothering them more than it bothers you. I'm not sure there is anything you can do.
With regard to the cooking smell they are probably unaware that it is overpowering for others. Are they doing something wrong like not putting on the extractor or opening the kitchen window? You could try having a quite and polite word with them and suggest that they do so. What have you got to lose?
Alternatively, just air out the common area if you can and put some air fresheners around the place. They may get the hint.
Good luck.
pp
With regard to the cooking smell they are probably unaware that it is overpowering for others. Are they doing something wrong like not putting on the extractor or opening the kitchen window? You could try having a quite and polite word with them and suggest that they do so. What have you got to lose?
Alternatively, just air out the common area if you can and put some air fresheners around the place. They may get the hint.
Good luck.
pp
I have a similar problem too in my apartment block, but its not a baby crying, its someone smoking weed, I have nothing against people smoking weed but the smell drifts into my flat down a central bathroom extractor fan pipe that goes upto the roof.
The smell makes me feel sick and sometimes makes me cough (and also gives me the munchies), the only remedy ive tried is to block up the pipe (and keep my bathroom door shut) which helps but invariably means my bathroom gets damp. Ive tried to work out who it is but havent had much luck in coming to a firm conclusion, its not something I would randomly approach every resident about and also I wouldnt want to report them to the landlords.
Can anyone offer some sort of advice?
If it possible for me to get a more powerful extractor fan in order to force the smell not to come into my flat? Or some other gadget that could be used?
The smell makes me feel sick and sometimes makes me cough (and also gives me the munchies), the only remedy ive tried is to block up the pipe (and keep my bathroom door shut) which helps but invariably means my bathroom gets damp. Ive tried to work out who it is but havent had much luck in coming to a firm conclusion, its not something I would randomly approach every resident about and also I wouldnt want to report them to the landlords.
Can anyone offer some sort of advice?
If it possible for me to get a more powerful extractor fan in order to force the smell not to come into my flat? Or some other gadget that could be used?
Interestingly, if a baby is crying from continual distress, according to Dr Penelope Leach who is a baby guru (apparently), a higher level of cortisone is created which can be harmful for the baby's brain development. Now, if you can say that in Hindi, you'll be on to a winner. 
As for the curry smell, it'll take months to years to sort out and at great expensive. Had the problem and decided to move house. They probably can't smell a thing, so will think you're a maniac.
As for the curry smell, it'll take months to years to sort out and at great expensive. Had the problem and decided to move house. They probably can't smell a thing, so will think you're a maniac.
Tricky. Living in flats you have to be considerate to others and that goes both ways. I think "reasonable enjoyment" is the key phrase.
Newborn babies often cry (obviously!) and the parents may have very little control over this - a friend of mine's daughter was up crying every night for about the first year. At the same time, you're entitled to be able to get a decent night's sleep!
Does your block of flats have a residents' association, or a noticeboard? With the weed smoker I think I would put a note on the board suggesting that the smell travels between flats - let them put 2 and 2 together and worry about whether somebody might report them! Guy below our old flat used to smoke like a chimney out of his window - the smell came right up and stank out our flat, it was unbearable on hot days...
Newborn babies often cry (obviously!) and the parents may have very little control over this - a friend of mine's daughter was up crying every night for about the first year. At the same time, you're entitled to be able to get a decent night's sleep!
Does your block of flats have a residents' association, or a noticeboard? With the weed smoker I think I would put a note on the board suggesting that the smell travels between flats - let them put 2 and 2 together and worry about whether somebody might report them! Guy below our old flat used to smoke like a chimney out of his window - the smell came right up and stank out our flat, it was unbearable on hot days...
Dave_ST220 said:
spikeyhead said:
So you're in a block of flats and there's a young baby that cries.
diddums.
buy a detached house.
Nice.diddums.
buy a detached house.
Re the cooking smells, it's probably better than cabbage or old ladies' wee... Could you open a window in the communal area?
If they weren't of different race you'd have said something by now. Go downstairs and ask if they have five minutes to have a chat about a few issues. They may be reasonable people.
As for the earlier suggestions re putting the extractor fan on; get real. The stench of simmering curry with a s
t load of fenugreek in it is very potent. Opening a window would do very little.
The person smoking weed is also being antisocial. Just knock on each door until you find out who it is. Take action by explaining that the stench is wafting in to your bathroom.
As for the earlier suggestions re putting the extractor fan on; get real. The stench of simmering curry with a s
t load of fenugreek in it is very potent. Opening a window would do very little. The person smoking weed is also being antisocial. Just knock on each door until you find out who it is. Take action by explaining that the stench is wafting in to your bathroom.
If they weren't of different race you'd have said something by now. Go downstairs and ask if they have five minutes to have a chat about a few issues. They may be reasonable people.
As for the earlier suggestions re putting the extractor fan on; get real. The stench of simmering curry with a st load of fenugreek in it is very potent. Opening a window would do very little.
The person smoking weed is also being antisocial. Just knock on each door until you find out who it is. Take action by explaining that the stench is wafting in to your bathroom.
As for the earlier suggestions re putting the extractor fan on; get real. The stench of simmering curry with a s
t load of fenugreek in it is very potent. Opening a window would do very little. The person smoking weed is also being antisocial. Just knock on each door until you find out who it is. Take action by explaining that the stench is wafting in to your bathroom.
Odie said:
I have a similar problem too in my apartment block, but its not a baby crying, its someone smoking weed, I have nothing against people smoking weed but the smell drifts into my flat down a central bathroom extractor fan pipe that goes upto the roof.
The smell makes me feel sick and sometimes makes me cough (and also gives me the munchies), the only remedy ive tried is to block up the pipe (and keep my bathroom door shut) which helps but invariably means my bathroom gets damp. Ive tried to work out who it is but havent had much luck in coming to a firm conclusion, its not something I would randomly approach every resident about and also I wouldnt want to report them to the landlords.
Can anyone offer some sort of advice?
If it possible for me to get a more powerful extractor fan in order to force the smell not to come into my flat? Or some other gadget that could be used?
Start renting out your bathroom to dope smokers who want a free buzz?The smell makes me feel sick and sometimes makes me cough (and also gives me the munchies), the only remedy ive tried is to block up the pipe (and keep my bathroom door shut) which helps but invariably means my bathroom gets damp. Ive tried to work out who it is but havent had much luck in coming to a firm conclusion, its not something I would randomly approach every resident about and also I wouldnt want to report them to the landlords.
Can anyone offer some sort of advice?
If it possible for me to get a more powerful extractor fan in order to force the smell not to come into my flat? Or some other gadget that could be used?
Aside from that obviously witty reply, you could install an elctric damper (flap which closes off the duct) but this will mean getting to the pipe above your ceiling to install it.
Our next door neighbours often bugger off and leave their teenage sons to have all night parties, usually on a Sunday. I feel your pain regarding antisocial neighbours.
Fortunately we have found a house in a cul de sac populated by families with young kids so will be moving shortly. Other than that, I couldn't find a solution.
I did the council route, the Police route, the talk to the neighbour route and the threatening behaviour route. Non of these worked.
On the upside, I get a garage when I move.
Fortunately we have found a house in a cul de sac populated by families with young kids so will be moving shortly. Other than that, I couldn't find a solution.
I did the council route, the Police route, the talk to the neighbour route and the threatening behaviour route. Non of these worked.
On the upside, I get a garage when I move.
Bill said:
Dave_ST220 said:
spikeyhead said:
So you're in a block of flats and there's a young baby that cries.
diddums.
buy a detached house.
Nice.diddums.
buy a detached house.
Re the cooking smells, it's probably better than cabbage or old ladies' wee... Could you open a window in the communal area?
Babies cry-usually for a reason.A baby crying all day/all night is not normal.
As for the curry smell,mmm, love it!
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