My neighbours are cooking curries 24/7. The communial hallway stinks? What can I do?

Question

I live/own a flat in a new, modern block. My trouble is that my neighbours, on both sides, are constantly cooking curries, maybe not ventilating their flats as they should do, and so the communial hallway continually smells of their curries. And this isn't pleasdant first thing in the morning or late at night. I'm wary of asking them to change their eating habits but if the smell was rubbish or pets I would complain. Can you help?

Answer 1

This is a really difficult problem. I live in a terrace, but my neighbour cooks curries alot - and her kitchen extractor fan blows into my room - I have tried blocking up my air vents and closing my windows, but the smell is incredibly invasive. Unfortunately there is virtually nothing you can do - unless there is something which is creating a nuisance - in the legal sense. I guess if you are cooking curries all the time you don't notice, but it's terrible if you don't. I don't mind but I don't like having to smell it all the time. In a communal hallway such as yours, unless it is ventilated, there is little you can do - you can't tell them what to cook, and the smell will seep out from under their doors - it's very invasive. I wish I knew what the solution was, because sometimes I get sick of everything smelling of turmeric! Perhaps you could take up cooking something you like - fish for example - and see how they like the smell! Afraid you are stuck with something there - and it could affect the resale value too - you could use an air neutraliser on a temporary basis if you wanted to sell, - but I don;t think it would work long term! Please let me know if you find a solution!!

Answer 2

I do not know what the condo associations outside the U.S. do in a case like this one. If it was here, you would have to bring it up at a meeting.

I just retired from 25 years of apartment and condo management. Curry is a huge problem here also. I did not feel it was our place to tell people that they could not use spices or not cook in their native ways. You cannot get rid of that odor when they move out. Many times I had to pull carpet, padding, etc. The worst time was when I had totally gutted the entire place and it continued as strong as before...............
The problem was the built in microwave. As soon as that was removed, the odor was gone.

Good Luck to you........I always put myself in their place and thought of how I would feel if someone told me I could not cook a staple item in my diet. It is indeed a very bad situation to deal with.

Answer 3

I too had that problem many years ago when I lived in a Condo in Vancouver. The only thing I did was kept my windows cracked a bit all day and night, and I used to keep scented candles going all the time when I was home. ( Eventually I got so used to the smell of curry I actually liked it)

Answer 4

You do have a problem ! You are going to have to speak to them nicely about it, ask them if they could open the kitchen window whilst they are cooking, or use a room/food deodoriser. If this fails, is there a manager of the flats that you could speak to? In all this I am making the assumption that your neighbours are white British, if they are not you will have to face the "You are a racist, it is because I am foreign" tirade, so I wish you luck. I really sympathise with you, because the smell of curry makes me throw up, everytime.

Answer 5

i used to have the same problem, even though i ADORE curries, i hated the stench of food which, when currified, can smell positively of POO...
so i opened the hallway door and when they complained i explained why i did what i did, they also sometimes left their dirt in our tiny little hallway (at my property which i'm now renting) and i complained about that. other than that i was a considerate neighbour, gave them christmas cards etc...we had good communications even though we had a bit of issues...they were good though, they were very understanding because (well i look asian, just like them) so they knew it was not a prejudice thing. good luck.

Answer 6

I would start burning scented oils in my house and put a fan near by to waft them into the hallway. :)
But you could check with local rules because a bad smell can be in violation of a code or two. If these are rentals, then you got a manager... talk to the guy maybe he needs cause before being able to do anything.

Answer 7

I even have the comparable acquaintances. each time I scent them cooking it smells like a goat ate a fish, then smoked a cigar, then became into roasted over an open pit. I even have additionally in no way been brave enought to ask what the hell is cooking.

Answer 8

I the accomodation warded? Who's responsibly for the communal hallway? If there's a caretaking landlord, etc for the shared hallway you should contact them about it. Ultimately if it's effecting our quality of living you do have grounds to complain.

Answer 9

I love curry so I would make friends with them and pop round for dinner regularly!

Answer 10

if you have a manager for the block then ask them to deal with it otherwise an air freshener is your only option. you could have a chat with your local council environmental health officer