Just A Few Simple Steps Can Help Reduce The Spread Of Cigarette Smoke And Other Odors!

It is not unusual for our team to be asked to investigate smoke odor complaints from time to time. While we cannot make units air tight, we want to do everything we can to support a positive living experience for everyone. The smoking and odor policy from the building’s rules are as follows: “The release of smoke, fumes or any toxic gases or particles, including those due to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vaping, marijuana, incense or any other tobacco products used in an individual unit that permeates any other unit or the common elements is hereby classified as a noxious or offensive activity pursuant to Paragraph 11(g) of the declaration.…..”

Here’s what residents can do to help:

1. Support the buildings natural air flow! Fresh air comes through the vents in the hallway and flows through your unit door and threshold gap and into your unit, keeping it pressurized. Do not restrict or block this flow in anyway.
2. Keep your exhaust vents clean and free of debris! Do not block kitchen and bath exhaust vents. With the proper air flow, these vents are specifically responsible for keeping bath and cooking odors from invading your neighbors unit, and of course can help rid your unit of any other odors.
3. KEEP YOUR WINDOWS CLOSED – especially when cooking, smoking, vaping, using scented candles and other activity that can generate odors! Even one open window can imbalance the air flow on an entire floor. If you are a smoker, you should know that in other cases at Park Tower, we solved this problem all together when smokers started leaving their windows closed when they smoke. There is a tendency for air flow to be reversed with an open window, causing air to flow from your unit.
4. Seal up holes in the wall! Because the units are pressurized, any penetration in the walls can cause air to be forced from or into your home from other units. If you have any holes or penetrations in walls, have them sealed up.

It is impossible to have an air tight unit, but following these easy steps can help the air move the way it was intended, and support a more pleasant living experience for all residents.

Odors escaping a unit and moving into hallways and other units, can result in fines by the Association, starting at $250 and doubling up to $1000 per event. This is a policy the Association wants enforced and the PTCA Board has assessed multiple Owners in the past for confirmed odor complaints, so be advised our team does their best to determine the source and issue notices if necessary. We’d like to avoid that and enlist everyone’s help to promote a positive living experience for all Owners and residents.

Feel free to contact the office with any questions or feedback, by e-mail at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com, or 773-769-3250.