When Priya bought her condo in a mid-rise building in North York, she was excited to finally have a place to call her own. The building was marketed as “smoke-free,” and with a young child at home, that was a top priority. Everything was perfect—until the smoke began to creep in.
At first, it was just a faint smell in the hallway. Then, it started seeping under the front door and through the vents into her unit. Every morning, the sharp, stale scent of cigarette smoke would linger in the air like an unwelcome guest. It wasn’t long before Priya realized: someone in the building was breaking the rules.
She wasn’t alone in noticing it. Other neighbors on the floor had also complained. So she did what most of us would do—she brought it up with the property manager. They assured her they’d “look into it.” A week passed. Then another. Nothing changed.
One day, she caught the culprit in action: a tenant down the hall, puffing away inside his unit. When confronted, he casually brushed it off and denied smoking. Later, he admitted it to property management, promising he’d stop—but he didn’t. Old habits die hard.
Out of frustration, Priya began documenting every incident. She kept a log of dates and times when the smell was strongest. She called security each time it happened so official reports were filed. Still, nothing concrete was done.
That’s when she started doing her research—and realized there was more she could do.
Here’s what Priya—and any condo owner in Ontario—should know when dealing with a smoking tenant in a “no smoking” building:
🔸 Document Everything:
Start with detailed records—photos, security reports, written logs. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.
🔸 File Formal Complaints:
Email your property manager and condo board with your concerns in writing. CC your lawyer if needed. Don’t settle for vague assurances—ask for timelines and action plans.
🔸 Request an Air Quality Test (Optional):
Priya went one step further and hired a company to test air quality and collect nicotine residue from her walls. It showed secondhand smoke was making its way into her home.
🔸 Know Your Rights Under Ontario Law:
Under the Condominium Act, condo corporations are obligated to enforce their declaration, by-laws, and rules. If your condo has a no-smoking rule, they must act on it.
🔸 Escalate to the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT):
If the board drags its feet, you can file a formal complaint with the CAT, which handles disputes like smoking, noise, and odours that interfere with “reasonable enjoyment” of your unit.
🔸 File a Complaint Against Management:
If the condo management isn’t enforcing the rules, you can submit a complaint to the CMRAO (Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario). This was a turning point for Priya—once she filed, the property manager suddenly became much more cooperative.
In the end, it wasn’t a single step that solved Priya’s issue—it was persistence. She refused to accept “there’s nothing we can do” as an answer. And if you’re a condo owner dealing with something similar, you don’t have to either.
Because whether it’s smoke, noise, or neglectful management, your home is supposed to be your safe space. And you have more power than you think.
Thinking of buying or selling in a Toronto condo?
Don’t let hidden issues catch you off guard. I’m a local realtor who knows what questions to ask and how to protect your investment. Let’s chat.
Richard Wang 