Annie's Mailbox®, April 9
by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar
Dear Annie: A friend of mine has a major milestone birthday coming up this summer. A group of his teammates from a sports league wants to surprise him by renting a house in a resort town 800 miles away. They plan to split the birthday guy's share of the rental and expect those of us who do not go to the resort to pay for his airfare and travel money.
This trip would take place the weekend of his birthday. I and other friends are somewhat miffed that we are asked to contribute to a spec ...
( Back to Article )
Join the Discussion
|
3 Comments | Post Comment
|
Posted by: Laurie
Comment: #1
Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:32 AM
Did they check out smoking rules before buying the CONDO? If there are no rules against it, they don't have a leg to stand on. All they can do is appeal to the kindness of the neighbor. I found a great Condo for sale at a great price and had to turn it down because they had no rules against smoking. Anyone could have moved in downstairs and I would have had to put up with it.
Check the rules before you buy. They should check into hiring a property management company to rent out their place and get out. Even if they have to rent for a while (in a non smoking place) until they can sell their condo.
I spent a year in an apartment with the same problem, it's not worth staying.
|
Posted by: BB
Comment: #2
Wed Apr 9, 2008 11:26 AM
Julia is completely correct. If the smoke is coming in through the bathroom, these people need to buy an air cleaner and install it there. This poor woman is addicted and quitting smoking is said to be more difficult than quitting cocaine. They should hire someone to come in and check the leaks in their house - windows, etc. that can let heat out and the cold in. Sometimes the gas company has this sort of program available to customers at a reasonable price. Then they can seal the leaks. This will make their apartment/condo more comfortable, keep out insects, and make living there pleasanter for themselves and their downstairs neighbor.
They must already have some sort of air filters already in the house to help with the allergies. Both my parents smoked heavily; Mom was a chain smoker. None of us kids smoke. I no longer have the terrible colds I had as a kid; however, Mom couldn't stop. You could smell the smoke while still on the sidewalk approaching her house.
|
Posted by: julia
Comment: #3
Wed Apr 9, 2008 3:36 AM
About the people who are upset because their downstairs neighbor smokes and the smoke is bothering them. . . The advice about checking on the ventilation is good, and being nonconfrontational and cooperating with the neighbor on improving it is optimal. But other than that, the smoker and the board are not responsible. Cigarette smoke does permeate. Annoyances of all sorts are the drawback to apartment/condo living. The neighbor smoked before they moved in, smoking is a legal activity, and anyone who has allergies and autoimmune disorders is responsible for detecting such overt concerns before making a commitment. I'm saying OVERT. It's like moving into a house with near a paper mill and then complaining about the smell. When you make a big purchase, you have to check out those things important to you. Caveat emptor.
No, I don't smoke. Smoke causes me severe respiratory distress. But for cripes sake, the tenant is smoking in her own home. She also made a big purchase. It's also a depressed housing market for her.
julia
|
|
|
|
