Quote:
Originally Posted by Roo
Unfortunately living in a multi-person dwelling can be hard. I am President of my homeowner's association and had a person recently complain of something similar. A family of East Indian descent purchased the condo downstairs from him recently. He's upset because they cook curries and the smell permeates his condo. I explained to him that as a Board, we cannot tell them to stop cooking, so this is a tough one, especially when you are dealing with people of different ethnicities.
The problem with moving is that you don't know if you are moving to a new situation that involves noise, smoking or cooking smells either. I feel for you though, it's a tough situation. If I were you, I'd be moving though, because if the neighbor is pregnant, you're going to have a crying baby in that situation in a few months too. In the mean time, start documenting how the smoke and cooking smells are hurting you medically. You may need those later.
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I fail to understand why someone should have to live in their own apartment amongst the odors of other tenants who don't even share their living space. We're not talking about normal cooking smells that come and go. These are consistent, if not permanent. There are different levels of cooking odors. My landlord cooks a lot of Italian fare but it doesn't permeate my apt. or the common hallways for days on end. She can smell it in her own apt. for a few days after cooking with garlic and spices, but it is contained to her own home. There is a clause in many leases that state the right to safety, comfort, and habilitability in one's own home. I am sure this could pertain to strong odors that are making living conditions uncomfortable, and sometimes even unbearable.
My LL and I had a discussion last night. She doesn't find the odor to be offensive and therefore feels no responsibility to take any action. She feels this is par for the course in a multi-tenant dwelling. Her bottom line is keeping the apartment rented. I purchased a portable air purifier which provides some comfort but only when it's running. I don't leave it on all day while I'm at work. When I turned it off this morning I could smell the odor again. My LL is far too cheap to reimburse me for the unit, and if I put a second one in the back hallway she'd complain about incurring the extra electrical expense. Regarding her BF also being affected by the cooking smells, I brought up the conversation I had with him before they left on vacation last week, and she neither confirmed nor denied it. She wasn't present at that conversation. His exact words were, "It (the smell) kills me". It surprises me that she won't go to great lengths to at least protect him, as she sure goes to great lengths to please him. I was prohibited from vacuuming after 8 pm because the sound of the vacuum woke him up one night when he went to bed early.
In any event, I need to find my lease to see if there are any clauses that would support my defense. I was really annoyed at her inability to comprehend that the air in my living space is contaminated by my neighbors' odors - ethnicity or not - I pay my rent too.
I appreciate the support and suggestions received thus far. I realize it is not an easy situation - to live with or fight.
Re: Urgent Advice Needed for Strong Cooking Odor
SARSI 
Can't seem to stay on my shopping ban! 
