Smoke smell in apartment

Dodgy electrics? If the windows were open maybe their neighbours smoke and it had wafted in? They'd used the toaster just before you called?

In France there is, in builds over the last 30 years, 24/7 electric ventilation in every space that has running water. I believe in my case, that this sucks the air in from other flats because if they have visitors that smoke I can smell it. Others don’t have this problem. Luckily not many people smoke so it doesn’t bother me.

There's no one living there at present. I must ask about ventilation. Thanks.

Just because there are no signs of smoking does not mean that no one smokes there.
Cigarette smoke smell is one of the worst aromas you would ever have to get rid of. It’s vile & will take a lot of decorating, airing & refurbishment to get rid.
Believe me, I know.
If it’s being drawn in via ventilation equipment from elsewhere, eg other flats, can you live with that?

smelling smoke on a visit would be a no no from me, it likely has drifted in from another flat and coud well be a permanent problem

Thanks ladies. Confirming my thoughts, unfortunately.

If the apartment was home to a smoker for many years, it is likely that the odour will be in the plasterwork, permanently. Only a removal of this, and replastering, will solve the problem: not a cheap fix. If you like the apartment otherwise, perhaps the price of this could be negotiated?

Chocolatelovinggran (good name)
Negotiation not possible. Another person wants it.

I'd say they're welcome to it, then.

Thanks Farnorth, my thoughts too. Shame though. It's in a lovely area, quite modern. But I couldn't live with it.

When I bought my second hand car it was obvious that the previous owner was a smoker. I put a Neutradol gel aur freshener in , and it took some time to work. It would take forever to remove the smell in a flat.

Unfortunately neighbours smoke can permeate through walls.

It takes ages to remove the smell of smoke. It permeates all furnishings whether washable or not . It woukd be a no from me.

Thanks everyone. We've withdrawn our offer.

My late MIL was a v heavy smoker. The only thing we found to remove the film and smell from ornaments and paintwork was a spray cleaner called Elbow Grease. It's fantastic on nicotine stains

I’d take the flat, soon no one will have money for cigarettes.

LovelyLady

I’d take the flat, soon no one will have money for cigarettes.

I wish...

Many years ago, my first house had a room which reeked of smoking. We bought the house anyway and we had to get rid of that room's carpet/curtains in the end. (Bare floorboards & some cheap curtains were better!) Other than that, we opened windows a lot; this is the best air-freshener in the world, IMO. But it took ages to get rid of the smell. Nadateurbe, I think you've made the right decision.

This is going to sound weird and implausable but I do occasionally smell cigarette smoke in my home. Neither DH or I smoke, nor do my neighbours either side of me or any visitors to my home. My Father smoked and I feel its him trying to contact me. He died well over 20 years ago and he was a lousy father, husband and person. Whenever I smell the smoke, its usually only 2 or 3 times a year, I just tell him to F... off, I dont know what you want but its too late or something like that, and the smell goes. Yeah I know it sounds crazy but its true.

Pepper59

Unfortunately neighbours smoke can permeate through walls.

Really?

It may well have been recently painted and curtains replaced , but cigarette smoke lingers in places that you don't expect!
I have neighbours that are basically chain smokers - 24 hours a day!
The woman doesn't seem to sleep more than 4 hours or so at a time - I know this because they don't smoke inside their house, they stand out in their back garden and there are some nights that I can't have my bedroom window open because of the stink of smoke and first thing in the morning (about 6 am), I have no idea what they are smoking, but it certainly ain't tobacco!

If the building is not properly insultated between floors, you may well be able to smell cigarette smoke, smoke from wood burners and cooking odours from the other flats.

There is nothing you can do about it that won't cost a fortune and probably make you unpopular with the neighbours as well.

So continue your search for accomodation - it is just not worth moving in when you have already noticed the smell, as you probably will not be able to get rid of it.

Could be drifting/seeping in from another apartment.

Thanks everyone for confirming my decision.