There's No Good Way to Tell Someone They Smell!

[Yesenia Tomas]

Good Day BiggerPockets goers,

I am at a loss in my situation. There is no right way to tell someone they smell and I really need one.

One of the tenants in my building smells so much that it's making the entire building smell really bad! I am trying to come up with a letter/notice to give them to get the situation dealt with but this is always an awkward and touchy subject. So I am asking for help on how to let them know their apartment smells and they need to deal with it or more aggressive measures will be taken. I have a draft of the letter already, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate or not. 

Thank you for all of your help!

[Account Closed]

I would probably have the talk in person, not a letter.  If it smells that bad, you have to guide the conversation so they don't just get a letter, get offended, and then the communication channel is now screwed up. 

What is the root cause? If you don't know, that's an even more reason to go visit and talk in person.

If its a sewer smell, may be blocked vent stack.  If its hoarded garbage or illegal pets, that's just a written warning and then progress from there. If its their cooking, it may be a little more sensitive but also could be helped by getting a ducted vent hood..  If its their personal cleanliness, I think that's the most sensitive because it could be from a depression, disability, etc..  Or drug use. I would want to get a better idea of the situation myself, maybe even help out if I can if its something a little empathy or just some paying work could help.