Neighbours incense smelling up our flat

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Hello everyone!

I am writing right now with my throat and eyes protesting as our neighbour is yet again burning what seems like an incense shop in her place which then comes through our walls and spreads through our entire apartment. The walls we share are bathrooms and bedroom but it slowly and nicely makes it's way in to our lounge and kitchen too. 

My boyfriend has been over quite a few times and nicely explained to her how it gets in to our flat and how badly it smells and how it is affecting me with the chemotherapy and everything. She always nods and goes "of course" and then after a few days it starts again worse than before. I guess the only thing she finally stopped was smoking by the walls we share and use her balcony or go in to another of her rooms. (Her walls she shares with us are kitchen and lounge). 

We could never smell anything from the family that lives there before, not even the smelliest of cooking so the walls aren't too thin I would guess. 

We spoke to her landlord and he wasn't sure what he can do as if he doesn't care really and tried to blame the pipes - this has been laughed at by the plumber we asked plus builders. 

So we're not sure where we can turn now, it is getting ridiculous that we can barely be in our flat because of one neighbour that really doesn't care that her actions are harming other people. I'm back on the chemo tomorrow and judging from the smells today I can say it will be a nightmare for me when I'm back from the hospital. 

Does anyone know anything about anything we can do or where we can turn to to maybe make our lovely flat liveable again? Our landlord is amazing but in Singapore and unsure what she can do herself but am supporting us as best as she can. 

Thankful for any advice or help we can get. 

Em

  • It is such a tricky one and I know nothing about the building aspects of it but did experience it once in a patients home . Oddly enough it was in their bathrooms which back onto each other and it allowed the other persons smoke to permeate through the walls ! If I had not experienced it first hand I don’t think I would have believed it but it did manage to fill up their bathroom ! 

    I wonder if they are burning incense right up against your wall ! Do you think some form of air purifier might work ?

    Thinking of you ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Hi Em,

    I live on an estate and often have cooking smells coming through the extractor fan in the bathroom. Although it appears to be working, it's not connected to anything. The wall panel it's attached to, is hollow, from the bottom of the block to the top.  Often have the smell of different cuisines. Maybe you have something similar or air vents / bricks somewhere, that could be covered up. It could be coming in through the floorboards, could silicone around the edges. The other thing that might help is a dab of Vicks under your nose. I bought some in case I was nauseous during chemo, for when I had to change my bag. I also have people smoking weed near my front door and bedroom window. It's horrible having to smell other people's odours. I feel like they're invading my privacy. It's not fair on you when you're battling cancer. Might have to be a bit firmer with your neighbour. The local council may have a mediation service.

    Cheryl x

  • Hi Court, 

    My boyfriend bought an air purifier to try to see if it works, it does help some but today the smell was coming through our bedroom walls instead (next to bathrooms) and it was cigarette smoke instead. She's too lazy to walk the extra two meters from her lounge out on to her balcony which I guess says it all. We actually saw her yesterday after I came home from my cancelled chemo (low platelets) and begged her to stop. She said she hasn't done it in forever and must be someone else. Both upstairs and downstairs are empty at the moment, so unless ghosts are smoking and doing incense she lied straight to our faces. 

    We will give the purifier a go before contacting the management company who's said they're willing to try to help, but I think it's mainly down to her landlord and her in the end. 

    Thank you, hope you're having a lovely day. 

    xx Em

  • Hi Cheryl, 

    It's so weird, before this lady moved in there was a Spanish family living there and we never smelt their cooking or anything. We would hear the mother some mornings when their balcony door and our bedroom window would be open as she was getting the sons active during lockdown with some dancing or something - but that only put a smile to my face as it's quite sweet. 

    She's filled our bedroom with cigarette smoke this morning, our window is shut but it's somehow seeped through the walls again as she smokes in her lounge and not balcony. Put the air purifier that arrived yesterday in there and think it's done a good job in removing the smell for now. 

    We are giving it a go for a few days or weeks before contacting the management company as they've said they're willing to try to help but I think in the end unfortunately it's down to her and her landlord which seems to be no action at all. 

    Hope you're having a lovely day xx

    Em x

  • Hope it works for you  . Your boyfriend sounds so supportive!

    My mum had platelet issues too ! Hope they bounce up for you soon .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000