Bad Smell from Tenant
I’m getting complaints from other tenants in the building that a really bad smell is coming from a particular apartment… How do I tell that tenant (in a nice way) that they need to do something about it? I really don’t care what they do in their apartment but when it affects the other tenants…
I’m getting complaints from other tenants in the building that a really bad smell is coming from a particular apartment… How do I tell that tenant (in a nice way) that they need to do something about it? I really don’t care what they do in their apartment but when it affects the other tenants then it’s another story.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
“Wish it was that easy..I just can’t go into a tenants apartment without their consent.”
I don’t get it…isn’t this in your lease? Not a lawyer, but doesn’t every landlord have a right to go in with appropriate notice? You’ve had complaints, and you have the right to see if this is creating a vermin situation or other habitability hazard.
Basil Fawlty showed great ingenuity in coming up with excuses to check residents’ rooms in “Fawlty Towers.” One of my favorites: When caught snooping, he began tapping the nearest surface with a look of deep concentration, and explained to the outraged guest that he was “checking the walls.”
A tenant whose smells betoken foul hygiene is a high risk for roach infestation, and that affects everyone. I’d be pretty aggressive and candid in this situation, even if it initially involves “checking the walls.”
Oh god. I had a Dumbo studio in the 80s with a trust fund baby downstairs neighbor who did gay phone sex for pin money (he wasn’t gay but unfortunately he WAS disinherited). He was LOUD the only solution was to scream at him to shut the **** up.
Then I had tenants later who never put the garbage out ever, for over a year. After they left (well, I threw them out) I had to throw out the fridge just from roach infestation. It was revolting.
I feel everyone’s pain. Only solution? Time heals most wounds. If you think the tenant is smelling because he’s dead, call the cops.
I would at least knock on the door and request access. If the odor smells obnoxious to you, and they refuse entry (or aren’t there), and also refuse to set up a future date for you to inspect the apartment, I believe you could call in a complaint to 911. There was an article recently in the Daily News about a hoarder with floor to ceiling trash and police and/or firefighers are allowed to gain access to an apartment if they have reason to believe there is imminent danger or hazardous conditions. As a landlord, you are typically allowed access your units to inspect for repairs, so if you don’t want to involved police, etc., and the tenants refuse access I would send them a certfied letter notifying them you plan to inspect the apartment for repairs on Oct. XX, 2009 at X:YZ time and follow through on that date.
I’d call the tenant and inform him that other tenants were complaining about the smell. What else can you do?
Recently, one of my tenants complained about a neighbor having “loud sex.” I haven’t spoken to the affending tenant and don’t plan to.
Tell the tenant that there is a leak in the apartmant below and you need access to turn off the water for a little while….
Or that you need to check the wiring in one of the outlets…
etc etc.
You can go in for those type of things. It is your house, afterall.
Maybe knock on tenant’s door &, if he answers, tell him you are concerned that the bad smell meant he might have died & been rotting in there. Once you have his attention, tell him to clean the place.
Have you seen the tenant in a while?
Wish it was that easy..I just can’t go into a tenants apartment without their consent.