PDA

View Full Version : New Neighbor Advice


mormishmom
08-15-2008, 11:02 PM
We live in a relatively new neighborhood and as part of the builders purchasing the land from the city, they had to designate a percentage of homes as affordable - based on income. Well, part of the plan also included that some of the homes be given to churches, shelters, community programs etc. I just found out that one of those homes is across the street from me. It's not actually a street really - it's more of an alley. All the homes face forward and then all the garages are in the back of the homes, so all the garages face one another and in order to get to them, there are "alleys" behind the homes. Our bedroom window, DS's window, and our balcony sliding glass door all face the alley.

It hasn't been an issue because in the 10 months we've been here, it hasn't been occupied. Well, all of the sudden last weekend some unsavory characters moved in. I hate to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you just get a vibe from people and I am getting that vibe. The neighborhood is so quiet and I LOVE it! My mom was visiting about 2 weeks ago and she even commented on how serene the neighborhood and our neighbors are. I should have knocked on wood.

So here comes the problem and where I need advice. They smoke. However, they don't smoke in their house. They run their A/C 24/7 and then come out on their balcony - which is directly across from my bedroom window - close the door, and smoke. Bleh! I loathe the smell of cigarette smoke, but when I am pregnant it is especially noxious to me. Plus, it's not healthy for us to be breathing it. We're a window opening, breeze loving, don't run the a/c at night unless it's 95 degrees kind of family.

What recourse do I have? Is my only option to knock on their door and politely explain the problem or do I have some legal steps I could take? What would you do? I need help!

lovely1m
08-15-2008, 11:08 PM
As far as I know, all you can do is ask them to not do it, but since they are doing it outside of their own home, I don't forsee them stopping. Sorry about that! My old apartment was like, the neighbors would smoke on the deck and in the smoke would come. Gross.

**Holly**
08-15-2008, 11:11 PM
Ugh I am sorrry...I have no advice for you!!! Good luck!

Paula
08-15-2008, 11:11 PM
Unless they are renting, then I don't see that you have any recourse. If they are renting, I would take it up with their landlord.

The best advice I have for you is to go and talk to them and explain the situation and ask if they could do it elsewhere.

jessica31876
08-15-2008, 11:33 PM
First let me say that I hate ciggarette smoke with a passion. Nobody is allowed to smoke in my home but our neighbors smoke on each side of us. I stay away from them when they are smoking. Unfortunately it is a fact of life that when your house is in close vicinity to a neighbors there are bound to be conflicts. If those conflicts pertain to something that is not against city/county/state statures and codes then I dont think there is a whole lot you can do and confronting the people is only likely to cause conflicts, anger and/or hostility. I wouldn't really recomend doing that. Ive found that with people in those types of homes if your impression of them is correct they will likely be gone as quickly as they moved in and will take with them the problem of dealing with cigarette smoke.

mormishmom
08-16-2008, 09:04 AM
That's what I'm afraid of. I'm sure that trying to talk to them will only anger them and they'll do things just to bother us. ::sigh:: Last night they were up to 3:30 (well, it could have been later, but that was when I finally fell asleep) talking loudly, screaming, yelling, and laughing with 6 other friends - who of course, all smoke. At 1:30 I finally called the police because of the noise, but the police called me back at 3:00 because there was a city emergency and all units had been sent there. They asked if I still wanted an office to come. I asked them to, yes, please send one so the complaint was on record even if they didn't find anything. I hope tonight is not a repeat. I am not a pregnant woman that can cope with 3 hours of sleep.

**Holly**
08-16-2008, 10:23 AM
Awe you poor thing!!! I hope things get better!