Hello,
My husband (Japanese) and I (foreigner) are currently taking care of my elderly mother law with. the expectation of him going back overseas for his job, and me staying for at least a year to make sure she's situated and the family business is back on track.
My mother in law lives in a nice condo near the ocean with only two other long term residents that lives on the same floor as her. The rest seem to only use that space for vacation.
Recently, my husband and I noticed there was unit that was used for a short term rental. We could tell because the inhabitants of the apartment seemed to change monthly. I am unsure of the regulations of the condo if that is prohibited or not, but we didn't really care until recently.
It seems like the new inhabitant is a pretty heavy smoker ,and prefers to smoke indoors with the windows close. It is so much the hallways fill with odor of smoking a even occupies 80% of my mother in law's space. She is at least 4 units away from this unit. I am very interested to know. how the smoke detectors are not going off.
I have no problem with smoking however I've always had a serious reaction. Mostly, serve nausea and headaches. However, due to the lack of proper ventilation and the consistency of smoking I had a rather scary moment. My throat closed up and it felt like I could not expand my lungs for air. This was just me in the hallway. I was rushed to my in law's condo and outside to the balcony where I collapsed gasping for air. It took about an hour and a half of me being on the balcony trying to get enough air and feel like I could leave. Even with leaving to the closest exit (the stairs) I felt like the same symptoms and dizzy.
I am unsure if this is someone who just purchased this unit, or if it's a monthly guest ( that I hope will leave soon.) My fear it's someone who's there permanently. My mother in law says there isn't anything so can do since that is not her unit, and my husband is fearful that if she complains to management of retaliation from the occupant of the unit. Which is understandable, since she is elderly and alone.
As for now, my husband and I do not live with her, so we also have very little power. I am shortly expected to be there fairly often to help. However, I can not go back in that condition. What can I do? Just tell hubby, "sorry, you're on your own" ,or just tough it out and hope I do not need an ambulance? Is there anything? In case the person is there long term, or if there is another situation similar to this that arises in the future what can I do? My Japanese is very basic, so I can mention something, but I'm afraid because I am a foreigner and my translation may be off that management would brush me off and nothing comes from it.
Sorry for the long post. I appreciate any advice.
by Working-Morning-3645