My wife and I are renting a small unit in California, and our lease clearly states a no-smoking policy. We've only been here for three months, but cigarette and weed smoke are seeping into our home, even with the windows closed. We've brought this up to our landlord several times, but all he's done is put up a 'No Smoking' sign. Since we're planning to start a family, this is quite concerning for us. What can we do in this situation? Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Have you thought about talking to the person who's smoking? Sometimes direct communication can help clear things up or at least make them aware that their habits are affecting you.
Just because you have a no-smoking clause in your lease doesn’t mean that the folks in the main house are bound by the same rule. It's possible they can smoke in their unit, which is why you're smelling it. You may want to look into finding an apartment or a rental that has a strict no-smoking policy throughout the entire building or a standalone house where you won’t have this issue. Don't forget to check the wording of your lease and what the landlord's policies are for both units!
You’re spot on! It’s key to know what your lease really covers. It sounds like your landlord may not be fully aware of the smoking issue if it’s coming from someone else.
Honestly, you might want to consider looking for a different place. It can be tough, but the good thing about renting is that you have the flexibility to move without the huge costs associated with selling a property. If this problem continues, it could be worth the hassle to find a more suitable living environment.
Exactly! Imagine if this was a condo you owned—it'd be a lot harder and more expensive to get out of. Renting gives you options.

Definitely, smoke might even be coming from neighboring houses. So it’s worth investigating before making any rash decisions.