Air moves both ways at the door

In a condo or apartment building, unit doors are not airtight. Depending on how the building is ventilated, air may flow from the corridor into units, or from units out into the corridor through the gap under the door. In many newer buildings the corridor is kept at slightly higher pressure to keep unit smells in, but that balance is easily upset by open windows, bathroom fans and wind.

So a hallway smell near your door could be coming out of your unit, out of a neighbor's, from the trash room, or from outside. Before reacting, figure out which. If your guests are the source, the building will hear about it from neighbors, and associations can fine owners for guests' behavior.

Working out the source

  • IfThe hallway smells like what your guests were doing, such as smoke or strong cookingThenAssume it may be your unit. Clean, ventilate, check the gap under the door, and review your house rules with future guests.
  • IfThe smell is strongest near another door or the trash roomThenReport it to building management with the time and location, without accusing anyone.
  • IfThe smell comes and goes with weather or time of dayThenNote the pattern; it may be outdoor air, a garage or a building exhaust.
  • IfIt smells of gas or burningThenCall 911 or the gas utility right away and tell the building.

Questions for building management

  1. Have other residents reported the same smell, and when?
  2. Is the trash chute or trash room being cleaned on schedule?
  3. Is corridor ventilation working normally on this floor?
  4. What is the building's process for odor complaints between units?
  5. Are there rules for short-term guests I should add to my listing?

Common questions

A neighbor complained that my guests smell up the hallway. What now?

Thank them, ask when they noticed it, check your guest records for that time, and tighten your rules if needed. A cooperative response keeps you on good terms with the building.

Should I tell my guest about a hallway smell?

If it is strong enough that they will notice on arrival, yes. A short heads-up that the building is aware and handling it prevents surprise.

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