Need to break my lease, cigarette smoke (apartment, leases)

[breezmom]

He did just move in.

[breezmom]

Thank you. His coughing does not bother me, it makes me sad. He sounds so sick, and is smoking like a chimney.

Thanks for your response.

As I'm a smoker I obviously dont smell the smoke as much as a non-smoker. However, I know its there and of course try to reduce that where possible. Even when we could still smoke in restaurants, I'd be the first to request a non-smoking table for dinner, even when non-smoking friends didn't mind.

I'm the first to agree that if I decide to be a smoker - and accept the issues that come with it (both social & health) - then thats up to me, and not for me to inflict on others. As someone else said - it IS an addiction and not easy to quit - but if someone really WANTS to quit (and they have to WANT to do it - not be pressured into it) - the support structure is in place...

To the OP's original question - the coughing is something that I'd advise to disregard for your complaint. Could just as easily be a non-smoker (or reformed smoker) with a bad cough - or could be something else like being on the phone outside a lot, which still makes noise

I'd definitely suggest trying to find an alternative apartment in the same complex - if nothing else, this is highlighting that you dont particularly want to leave - but you need to find some sort of remedy to your problem

Good luck! [/quote]

[HS_DUDE]

Originally Posted by breezmom

Been here almost 2 years. 3 months left.

Just my two cents...if you only have 3 months left, then just make your plans now to move in 3 months.

By the time you work with the rental company, figure out what you owe for breaking your lease (if you have incentives, they can be due retroactively), secure moving, it may just be better to ride it out for 3 months and move out as soon as your lease expires.

I know its probably not the ideal solution, but sometimes we just have to make do with what we're given.

[nash04]

If you live north of Raleigh in the Brier Creek area, you can checkout our complex since they have strict rules about smoking outside or even on their balcony and if they catch anybody throwing their butts out, they are warn the first time than they'll be paying a fee the next time. Even though there are smokers in this complex, you can't really tell unless you walk by the designated smoking area.

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by nash04

Duh! The surgeon general whom started this rumor, when ask to prove it, was never able to.

And if I'm not wrong, smoke does travel up and not down or horizontal, so if they are smoking outside then the smoke should be going up! now I do feel sorry for the people living above a smoker since their smoke/smell do travel up but when we are talking about being outside.....give me a break!!

Our apartment complex and a non-smoking policy which is a-ok with me, you just have to smoke in their smoking area around the complex. They don't tolerate smoking on the balcony or even in the apartment, I for one smoke in the garage so it doesn't bother effect anybody.

It's a give and take around smokers and non-smokers. just hate when you mentioned that you can smell the smoke outside, must be an enclose area or there are allot of smokers.

Ask your manager about creating a smoking policy, most complex are now doing so and it's ok with me since I don't like the smell either.

If you are breathing in any kind of smoke, then it will be harmful. If you stand next to burning leaves and inhale you'll probably start coughing. The same for cigarette smoke. Please don't tell me that it's completely harmless. That goes against common sense.

Smoke will go where the air goes, not always up. If there is a down draft, then smoke from an upper floor might end up in a lower floor. Just watch the smoke from a cigarette on a windy day. The smoke goes wherever the wind is blowing.

[Mussakka]

I agree with some of the others here. If you only have three months left, go ahead and find another place and turn in your notice not to renew the lease.

I suppose if you had the money you could invest in an air purifier (if you don't already have one) and use it as much as possible, especially where you sleep. Even if you change apartments, it could be very useful.

There are many non-smoking complexes in the area. I'd call around and state your concerns very specifically. Say you have asthma and it is medically necessary that you avoid contact with cigarette smoke and similar environmental pollutants. Personally, I'd find a place that specifically includes a complete non-smoking policy in the lease. If not enforced it could give you potential legal grounds to break the lease. Just document any contact you have with management regarding that particular problem (if that happened to be the case).

I'm really surprised that any apartment complex would permit smoking inside, due to fire liability and marketability. Most non-smokers can easily detect the smell in places formerly inhabited by smokers. I've refused certain apartment units in the past for this very reason.

[mia78]

Originally Posted by Mussakka

I agree with some of the others here. If you only have three months left, go ahead and find another place and turn in your notice not to renew the lease.

I suppose if you had the money you could invest in an air purifier (if you don't already have one) and use it as much as possible, especially where you sleep. Even if you change apartments, it could be very useful.

There are many non-smoking complexes in the area. I'd call around and state your concerns very specifically. Say you have asthma and it is medically necessary that you avoid contact with cigarette smoke and similar environmental pollutants. Personally, I'd find a place that specifically includes a complete non-smoking policy in the lease. If not enforced it could give you potential legal grounds to break the lease. Just document any contact you have with management regarding that particular problem (if that happened to be the case).

I'm really surprised that any apartment complex would permit smoking inside, due to fire liability and marketability. Most non-smokers can easily detect the smell in places formerly inhabited by smokers. I've refused certain apartment units in the past for this very reason.

In addition to the advice I bolded, I think it'd be wise to get written notice from your doctor about the harms that living around smoking (not just indoors) is for your health. I also suggest that if/when you move to a non-smoking complex that you have a signed addendum added to your lease with your doctor's attached note stating that if management refuses to enforce the policy, it will be means for you to break your lease with no financial penalty or bad record on your rental history.

[ncnittany]

Check your lease it will say how much of a notice is required. Also (this was 3 years ago) our rental company told us we could leave in NC with 2 months notice and be off the hook, but check with an attorney.

[dh321]

With such short time left on your lease, put your notice in early and plan on leaving the day it's up. As others have said, breaking your lease at this time would cost more than remaining rent. There are TONS of apartment communities here in the Triangle now that are 100% smoke free. You do not have to put up with it any longer. A big trend for apartments these days is if not 100% smoke free, complete buildings that are smart free.

Good Luck

[underPSI]

A big trend for apartments these days is if not 100% smoke free, complete buildings that are smart free.

Lol. So all smokers are stupid?