Gather these first

  • Your association's declaration, bylaws and rules and regulations, especially any sections on smoking, nuisance and odors.
  • Contact information for the managing agent and the board.
  • A floor plan or sketch of your unit marking where you notice smoke.
  • Any earlier emails or notices about smoke in the building.
  • Notes on the sealing work you have already done in your own unit.
  • Names of neighbors who have noticed the same thing, if they are willing to say so.

A simple drift log

Date and time
Example: weekday evening
Where in the unit
Primary bath, near the vanity
Strength (1 to 3)
2
Weather and HVAC status
Cold, still night; heat running
Notes
Fresh cigarette smell, lasted about 30 minutes
Date and time
Example: weekend morning
Where in the unit
Living room by balcony door
Strength (1 to 3)
1
Weather and HVAC status
Mild, balcony door closed
Notes
Seemed to come from outside
Date and time
Where in the unit
Strength (1 to 3)
Weather and HVAC status
Notes
Date and time
Where in the unit
Strength (1 to 3)
Weather and HVAC status
Notes

Keep one row per incident for at least two to four weeks before escalating.

Escalating in a way boards can act on

  1. Tell the manager in writing

    Send a short, factual email describing the pattern and attaching the log. Avoid naming or accusing a neighbor unless you are sure.

  2. Ask what the documents allow

    Request the association's reading of its own rules on smoking and odors, and what steps it can take.

  3. Request a building check

    Ask whether maintenance can look at shared shafts, corridor ventilation and penetrations between units.

  4. Keep logging

    Continue the log after the first contact so the board can see whether anything changed.

  5. Ask to be heard at a board meeting

    If the issue continues, ask for time on a meeting agenda and bring a one-page summary.

  6. Get advice if it stalls

    If the association does not respond, a Colorado attorney who handles community association matters can explain your options.

Common questions

How long should I keep the log before contacting the manager?

If the smoke is occasional, two to four weeks of entries shows a pattern. If it is daily and affecting sleep or health, contact the manager right away and keep logging afterward; the log supports the request rather than delaying it.

Should I talk to the neighbor directly?

Some owners have a friendly conversation and solve it quickly, particularly when the neighbor did not realize smoke was traveling. If you are unsure who the source is, or relations are strained, letting the manager handle contact is usually wiser.

What if the smoke is cannabis rather than tobacco?

Log it the same way. Whether association rules treat cannabis and tobacco smoke the same depends on how your documents are written, so ask the manager how the rules apply.

General information for Cherry Creek, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.