My Airbnb is not smoke free

[Anna14090]

Hello,

I'm a renter. My issue is that neighbor of my rented unit is smoking. 

The neighbor smokes so much that my unit smells nasty. The neighbors apartment is half-step from mine and the smell goes through the doors. Also the smell comes from the ventilation in the bathroom. he smokes some very heavy cigarettes and A LOT, naturally day and night. I can wake up at 1 am, 3 am, 6 am from the nasty smell. I bought three kinds of odor neutralizer (had to search Amazon, paid my own money of course), NOTHING HELPS because he smokes almost non-stop.

I told the host about the issue. They said that the neighbor owns the apartment, so he can do whatever he wants there. I said it's an issue for me, they promised to send a message to the management. But they didn't reach out o say if management can have some kind of conversation with the neighbor.

So, the unit was advertised as SMOKE-FREE environment. I don't smoke, naturally it's best for me. But it is not smoke-free. It is not directly responsibility of hosts. But the advertise it as smoke free when it is not.

If someone can give me an advice how to reasonable and efficiently handle this situation, I will appreciate it.

[Fred13]

Anybody else (pastr reviewers) mentioned this phenomenon, that is a supposedly 'smoke free' (which technically is) but is not really because of the smoke-fiend neighbor?

[Anna14090]

Hi,

It is really strange but no, no mentioning of this from previous guests. But there are no so many reviews for this unit, about 12 I think. I cannot imagine how other guests din't notice it or it didn't bother them. 

Thank you for your interest, I only now see the comment, didn't realize someone tried to take part in this issue. 

[Paula]

Hi @Anna14090,  I'm sorry to hear about this situation; cigarette smell can be very uncomfortable.

Have you had the chance to read Fred's question? I recommend contacting Airbnb for advice on this matter. Here's the link where you can do so: https://www.airbnb.ca/help?audience=guest

Keep us posted!

[Anna14090]

Hi Paula,

Thank you for your comment. I did contact Airbnb Support Team. They are very helpful.

The host's explanation is that the building is a condo building and the neighbor owns his apartment, therefore he can do whatever he want there. 

In that case he should have mentioned in the description that the unit has smoke odor from neighbors apartment. But of course it is not mentioned in the unit description.

It is a violation of Airbnb rules and they put this on the host's file. 

[Helen3]

Wow the poor host @Anna14090 

 it's certainly not a violation of any airbnb T&C that a host should mention any potential smells in neighbouring properties and yet the host now has his listing marked because of something he had no control over.

as other guests haven't mentioned the smoke smells perhaps you are particularly sensitive to smoking smells and I'm sure that's unpleasant.

it would have been better for you to get Airbnb to cancel the stay and move to another listing that can offer you a smoke free environment. 

[Anna14090]

You must be joking.

The neighbor smokes non-stop heavy cigarettes. His apt is half-meter away, the smoke travels through doors and through ventilation. For sure, I'm sensitive to that nasty smell. Also, second hand smoking is extremely unhealthy. 

The host is aware of the situation because the neighbor has been living there for a long time. There's air purifier and Fabrizze spray that they offered me to use. 

Gusts stay here for 30days minimum, most people come to work in the area. The price for the apt is high. I wake up at 1 am, 3.30 am, 6 am because a wave of nasty odor comes to the apt. The next day I have to go to work somehow. The host got his money and doesn't care whatsoever about a guest's comfort or health. 

IT IS A VIOLATION to have smoke smelling unit. Airbnb decided so and they know better. I hope other guests who will face the same problem and read this feed will be encouraged to REPORT IT to Airbnb Support Team.

As a paying customer I definitely want transparency. And at least comfort and healthy environment. 

And yes, now the host has an official complaint on his file. And if he gets the second one the listing will be suspended. And then maybe he will be "poor' like you predicted for him, lol. For now he is definitely fine.