Cigarette Smoke

By anonymous

I moved into a unit in a 6 unit building a week ago. Upon moving in I cleaned the apartment from top to bottom. It was obvious that previous tenants were smokers, washing floors and walls elimanted most of the lingering odor.

On the 2nd night we were here, whenever our heat came on we were hit with a blast of cigarrete/cigar odor.

 When I brought this to my landlord’s attention her initial response was "smoking is not illegal." I explained that I understand that other tenants can do as they wish in their own unit, but their habbit is effecting my family. She offered to speak with the facilities director regarding this. I followed up 4 days later & she told me that the smell has to be from previous tenants. Since we have our own furnance/vent system it is impossible the smell is coming from other units.

 I am so frustrated because I know this is not from previous tenants.  The smell is worse in the morning & evening (when other renters are home).  If I leave our bathroom door closed for a few hours the whole bathroom fills with that horrible stench. The hall does not smell like smoke when our apartment does. By the end of the day my daughter and I both have horrible headaches from the smell.

I e-mailed my landlord & asked for a meeting with her & the facilities director. I want to be as prepared as possible when I meet with them. Does anyone have any advice in the best way to deal with this? In her last correspondance, my landlord suggest that I terminated our lease. She said she would work with me to return our  deposit. However, Our stay in this town is temporary. We do not have the time or means to relocate at this time.

 Any advice is very appreciated.

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Holy Cow, we couldn't find any other related post. Sorry. :(