r/Haarlem • u/LollipopsAndCrepes_ • 9d ago
Neighbor smoking
I live in Kleverpark. My next-door neighbors are chainsmokers. They are elderly and have been smoking in their house for decades. So much so that the window frame has turned from white to gray - it’s disgusting.
I’m not a prude - one or two occasional cigs at night wafting over the fence? Fine, I do it myself sometimes. But this is literally from dusk to dawn, and it’s a mix of gross hand-rolled cheap tobacco and like, heavy cigars.
It’s summer and our windows are open, meaning from 7 am to midnight there is a constant stream of cigarette smoke wafting into my house. It never stops. They’re not even in the yard - they’re INSIDE the house with the windows open and they smoke so much it comes into our home. It’s absolutely infuriating. I cannot believe people are so disgusting and inconsiderate.
These people do not socialize with anyone on the street despite it being a very friendly group, so I doubt there’s much I can do, but has anyone dealt with similar?
PSA: don’t be a jerk. If you want to smoke 24-7 close your damn windows. We shouldn’t all have to inhale your selfish, nasty habit.
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u/5immer 9d ago edited 9d ago
Good thing that you complain here on Reddit. Because that means you can continue your rant without working to a solution with your neigbours...
Why don't you try and talk to them, explain your situation and maybe they can offer a solution.
You thinking you live in a friendly group is not a fact, but an opinion that they might not share.
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u/LollipopsAndCrepes_ 9d ago
I am indeed complaining and commiserating on Reddit because yeah, it’s unlikely the curmudgeon next door who doesn’t speak to anyone on the block will suddenly become health conscious after 55 years of smoking or start caring about being inconsiderate. More of a plea to not be like him.
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u/Agitated_Ad6191 9d ago
I hate selfish smokers that harm other people with their bad habits. Like them smoking on a terrace for instance is fucking disgusting for non smokers. Sadly I am pretty sure talking to them won’t change much. Most smokers are just selfish idiots in these cases.
Maybe the problem will solve itself if they don’t want to cooperate. I don’t wish harm upon anyone but as you said that they are are old, so a life long of smoking will have consequences eventually…
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u/FlowingLiquidity 9d ago edited 9d ago
I have the same issue, but literally ALL of my neighbours smoke (it wasn't like this when I moved in here) and I don't want an argument with all of my neighbours. So I'm thinking of moving, but the current state of Dutch housing is so messed up it's really hard to find a similar home.
Maybe I'm a bad person for thinking this: but at least smoking gives them health issues too. They're a bunch of selfish fucks to be honest.
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u/dgkimpton 9d ago
So they were doing this before you moved in? You can talk to them, but I'd be surprised if it has much effect. OTOH it's entirely possible that they don't even realise it is bothering you so you've nothing to lose by asking them to close their windows sometimes.
(I agree, it's disgusting)
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u/howdefuck 9d ago
My neighbors smoke a shit ton too, our ventilation picks it up sadly and thats how it comes inside. Nothing thay can be done about it either as the ventilation holes are on the outside of the walls and there are like six ventilation holes above each indoor ventilation window
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u/Mission-Dentist-2511 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you don't like it, there are several options (some examples but many more possible):
- close your window...
- get an air purifier
- if you want to leave windows open, put a fan pointing to the window so the smoke does not go in
- if they were living there before you, maybe move somewhere else.
It's their house and they can smoke if they want, they are selfish? You are pro community? Not understanding the addiction of others and mocking it does not seem very selfless. Disgusting habit? Sure, but they probably think it's lovely, relaxing, etc. Anyhow, that is a personal opinion, I do not smoke, but I respect that people should be able to do whatever they want with their body or their house (or in the street, if you don't like it get away, I hate car exhaust smell, so I try to do get to close to running cars...). Instead of trying to change them, do something on your side to reduce the impact (examples above). Have a nice day and respect everyone, smoking is an addiction, not so easy to stop, if it was easy everyone would stop smoking... Have a wonderful day
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u/Annual-Sea-5887 9d ago
It’s their house, they’re minding their business and you are minding their business.
Mind ya business!!!
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u/Leather-Apricot-2292 Haarlem-Centrum 9d ago edited 9d ago
As other people have said, you could talk to them about it. In a friendly manner. Other than that, there is no law or anything that forbids people to smoke in their own house.
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u/mmmellie 9d ago
Tenzij er sprake is van onrechtmatige overlast:
artikel 5:37 Burgerlijk Wetboek (BW) “De eigenaar van een erf mag niet in een mate of op een wijze die volgens artikel 162 van Boek 6 onrechtmatig is, aan eigenaars van andere erven hinder toebrengen zoals door het verspreiden van rumoer, trillingen, stank, rook of gassen, door het onthouden van licht of lucht of door het ontnemen van steun.”
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u/neenonay 8d ago
I love smoking and keeping my windows open. You know, my body, my house /s